Hey Guys,

I'm going crazy. So far I have gone through 3 cork gaskets, 2 composite gaskets, and one attempt at using rtv gasket maker.

The engine is a 359 (359-360-361 family). The leak is at the back over the top of the gasket. The bottom of the gasket where it faces the oil pan is always dry. I make sure that the surfaces are clean and I've tried varying amounts of torque including squeezing the gasket out (the composite gasket started to deform at about 18 ft/lbs). This thing doesn't just leak. It pours out. 1 quart in 250 miles. I installed a new PCV valve and cleaned the oil cap filter. I am getting suction out of the crankcase into the intake.

I'm thinking of bending the flanges of the pan up so that instead of being level across, the outer edge of the flange will be slightly above the inner surface of the flange.

The gaskets all deform where the two bolts that hold the rear main bearing are located. That is where the oil leaks out. Is there supposed to be some sort of cap that goes over these two boltheads to give a smooth surface for the gasket to seal against??? There is still plenty of gasket area to keep the oil from escaping but it doesn't.

It doesn't make sense that so much oil should be coming out. The crankcase isn't being pressurized. The rest of the gasket seals perfectly with only 5 ft/lbs of torque.

I've looked for cracks etc. there don't appear to be any, and the rear main bearing seals are tight. The oil is leaking, as I said, from the area near the main bearing cap boltheads.

I can pull that pan off in about 10 minutes now. This thing is driving me nuts. HEELLLPPP!!!!

Thanks

Jim

 

Maybe a new pan is in order. If the old one has been off and on many times it may be twisted out of shape/have the sealing indentations flatened out.

Good luck,
Bear Tracks

 

STOP USEING CORK GASKETS! Felpro makes black gaskets at works perfect. They are like a black thick paper. They also make rubber rocker cover gaskets & timing cover gasket sets.
CK your oil pan for flatness and make sure to take a hammer to the bolt holes if they are dimmpled in.
Also Milodon #40450 is a good gasket,I will be using this one when I upgrade to thier 8 quart pan.

1979 F350,4x4,NP435,5:13 gears,Detroit locker in rear,ABR in the front,360 with 428 crank & rods,390 HP heads,Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch,MSD Ignition,39.5x18 Boggers,bucket seats out of a Lightning,& a Southern Body that is perfect.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Feb-02 AT 01:46 PM (EST)]You may have a rear main seal leaking.
especially if it is coming from the top rear.


Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,373:1 - 9" Posi.

 

thanks for the replys.

I have realigned the pan flange and have pounded down the bolt holes. Hopefully that will help. I also bought two of the composite gaskets and will put them both on.

About an hour from now I should know the answer.

Thanks again

Jim