[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Sep-02 AT 02:51 PM (EST)]Hello all,

I was wondering if it is normal to have a consistant oil leak from older higher milage 302's. I have a 91 with a 5.0 and I just had the top end rebuilt about 6 months ago after having done 139,000 miles on it. I used a good dino oil to break the engine for the first 1,400 miles and have since gone to Mobil 1 Synthetic for the next 2,000 miles. I've read some posts here concerning Synthetic oils viscosity and how it may lead to more oil leakage, so I was wondering if maybe this is the cause. I genrally have to add a full quart every 500 miles. The leak seems to be coming from the passenger side head cover. Sometimes when I'm driving, I can smell the oil burning on what I think is contact with the exhaust manifold. What I'm wondering, is if anyone else here has an oil leak from the head covers, and has anyone else experienced more oil leakes with the transition to Synthetic oil, and finally, is my mechanic to blame for the leak as he did the head rebuild 6 months ago.

thanks for your responses,

 

Read the earlier post on "what oil should I run" it might help you some.

 

It does but doesn't. Some people claim that synthetics are good for a newly rebuilt engine, yet others say no. I guess no one really knows for sure. meanwhile, my leak is pretty bad

 

When you say "head cover" do you mean valve cover? If so try tighting it down a little bit. Don't get crazy because you can overtighten them.