Oil Leak
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Centreville USA
Oil Leak
My remanufactured 390 has developed a small but persistent oil leak. It is dripping off the back of the engine, sometimes from the bell housing inspection cover, sometimes from the rear oil pan rail. I have pulled the bellhousing inspection cover and it is bone dry around the clutch and inside the bellhousing, so I hope that rules out a rear main seal or oil galley plug (I know that there is a plate between the engine and bellhousing, but I would think any leak back there would find its way into the bell housing. It did in my old engine, the inspection cover was half filled with oil!). I can see oil around the back edge of the oil pan, but cannot find a source. Oil pan bolts are tight. Pan is a stock Milodon with a Ford Racing windage tray, cork gaskets between everything and silicone sealant.
Any ideas as to where to look for the source? Thanks.
Any ideas as to where to look for the source? Thanks.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Centreville USA
I've checked both the valve covers and back of intake but will definitely do it again. If it were the rear main seal or oil galley/cam plugs, there WOULD be oil inside the bell housing, right? Mine is dry as a bone in there.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Centreville USA
Thanks
I will definitely check the intake and valve covers more carefully this week. I can deal with those a lot easier than something from the back side of the engine.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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My money would also be on the intake manifold every fe ford we have around our place they all leak in the same place, both ends of the intakes.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Centreville USA
Rechecked Intake
I rechecked both the valve covers and intake last night. Bone dry. So where I am at is:
1. Inside of bell housing - bone dry
2. Valve covers - bone dry
3. Intake manifold - bone dry
4. Front timing cover - bone dry
5. Crankshaft snout - bone dry
6. Oil filter adapter - bone dry
What's left?
I appear to have a bit of oil around the back edge of the oil pan and gasket. I will probably crawl under the car tonight and look at that again. The oil pan has a Ford Racing windage tray, Felpro gaskets between everything with sealant. The first oil pan (cheap chrome) that was installed would never seal. This one is a gold anodized Milodon pan.
Any suggestions on how to verify that it indeed is the pan? Any way to fix it short of pulling the pan (again) and trying to reseal it? Or should I just live with it as one of those little "FE things?"
I always check the oil level before taking her out. So far there has not been a noticeable decrease in oil level.
1. Inside of bell housing - bone dry
2. Valve covers - bone dry
3. Intake manifold - bone dry
4. Front timing cover - bone dry
5. Crankshaft snout - bone dry
6. Oil filter adapter - bone dry
What's left?
I appear to have a bit of oil around the back edge of the oil pan and gasket. I will probably crawl under the car tonight and look at that again. The oil pan has a Ford Racing windage tray, Felpro gaskets between everything with sealant. The first oil pan (cheap chrome) that was installed would never seal. This one is a gold anodized Milodon pan.
Any suggestions on how to verify that it indeed is the pan? Any way to fix it short of pulling the pan (again) and trying to reseal it? Or should I just live with it as one of those little "FE things?"
I always check the oil level before taking her out. So far there has not been a noticeable decrease in oil level.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
The rear main bearing cap has these rubber inserts that go on the side of the cap. If one of these inserts were leaking, it would be right there on the pan... It probably would not get into the bellhousing.
When installing the pan, I put RTV on the ends of the rubber inserts. Sorry, hard to describe and I just cut my finger with a razor knife so it's hard to type
When installing the pan, I put RTV on the ends of the rubber inserts. Sorry, hard to describe and I just cut my finger with a razor knife so it's hard to type
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Senior User
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From: Centreville USA
Originally Posted by krewat
The rear main bearing cap has these rubber inserts that go on the side of the cap. If one of these inserts were leaking, it would be right there on the pan... It probably would not get into the bellhousing.
When installing the pan, I put RTV on the ends of the rubber inserts. Sorry, hard to describe and I just cut my finger with a razor knife so it's hard to type
When installing the pan, I put RTV on the ends of the rubber inserts. Sorry, hard to describe and I just cut my finger with a razor knife so it's hard to type
Questions: Would the leak be coming from the ENDs of the inserts (near the block/oil pan interface) or somewhere else? IF the pan is sealed properly to the block, how would the oil work its way out?
Thanks.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
If those rubber inserts were pushed in too far, and not RTV'd, the seam between the main bearing cap and the block will allow oil to seep out right at the pan gasket.
At least, that's if I'm picturing it right in my mind...
At least, that's if I'm picturing it right in my mind...