C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big red

[Larry P.]

As I was saying, from between the bottom of the timing cover and the oil pan. Another new gasket set that I know went on properly. It's not coming from the front of the timing cover around the crank. It's leaking worse then before. I'm now being told that it might be from excessive crankcase pressure.
Everything is new in the engine. I have the stock block with the stock tube at the rear and the filler on the intake. I do have the aluminum valve covers with no vents. Did I miss something? It runs great.
I need some ideas. After 7 years and everything ready and I can't drive it because it leaks so badly.
AAAAAHHHHH!!!

[John M.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Larry,
Did you check the balancer and make sure that a groove was not worn in it from the seal?
This is almost a certianty on an original balancer, but you can buy a press-on stainless repair sleeve at almost any auto parts store. If the balancer snout is not perfectly smooth, it can leak like a pig.

Regards, John McGraw

[Larry P.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

John,
If that is the problem, where would the oil leak from? It's coming out from between the pan and the bottom of the timing cover, not from the front where the crank goes thru the front of the cover. I assume the timing chain/inside the timing cover gets oil. If the leak is at the seal where would the oil come out?
Larry

[Rob M.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

I wasn't aware pigs were leaking a lot...

[mike cobine]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Larry, you have to determine where it comes out exactly. Clean the front of the engine with brake cleaner and then tape a paper towel over the lower part of the timing cover to just below the crank snout and back over the oil pan.

Start the engine and let it run until you know it is leaking. The trick is just when it starts, so that you have a small spot of oil, not the whole towel soaked.

Odds are the balance seal is leaking. Like John said, this si a common problem, the balancer snout being worn.
The sleeve is readily available at any parts house and cheap. You will also need a new seal.

Also, check that you put the correct oil pan/timing cover gasket in. There are thick and thin seals and the thin will fit where the thick must go, but it will leak like crazy.

I think you can get a thick where a thin should go, but the pan will then leak at the corners since it would sit right.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Larry-----

Which oil pan are you using? Is it a KNOWN ORIGINAL pan or might it be a post-1975 GM replacement? This makes a BIG difference in exactly the area that you say the leak is emanating from.

[Larry P.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Joe,
Per your previous post it measures 2 1/4 and therefore is the old. I have been under it with white paper towels and can get no oil from anywhere except the space between the lower radius of the timing cover and the radius of the front of the oil pan. I can actually see the oil appear in the crack of the radius.
Two or three drops per second.
LP

[Edward Boyd]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Change the oil pan - your's may very well have deformed over the years of off and on to a point where a seal will not make up the difference.

[Loren L.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Did you use silicone seal at the junction of the gasket in the timing chain cover and the oil pan gasket on the bottom of the block?

[Larry P.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Yes, blue the first time and black the second. I cleaned the block and pan and used longer bolts to align and pull it up without moving the gaskets or rubber.
I used a straight edge on the pan. The sides are straight until the last forward holes. The front holes are about 1/16 inch lower on the straight edge. I would think that much should pull up or seal with the Permatex.
Larry

[Mark B.]

Re: C1 60 oil leak is giving me a case of the big

Larry, I'll throw in my $0.02 worth......It certainly sounds like your pan may be deformed. However, are using a one-piece gasket or the Fel-Pro type with four pieces? If you're using the 4-piece type, remove the pan and the front seal at the timing cover. Clean out the groove completely with brake cleaner and a rag. Install a new gasket in the groove at the cover with red silicone sealant and let it cure completely. At the same time, clean the front lip of the oil pan with brake cleaner and install a red silicone bead (about 1/8-inch thick) on the curved mating surface. Smooth it to be uniform and let it cure completely overnight. When everything is cured, re-assemble the oil pan to the engine. The bead of sealant should close the gap you've been experiencing and stop the leak. If not, then the only solution is to replace the pan. I doubt it is excessive blow-by pressure, as the oil dipstick usually rises out of it's tube along with oil as the first sign of pressure build-up.

[Larry P.]

and the answer is.....

Let somebody else do it! I built this thing myself from the bare frame up. I rebuilt the suspension, engine and all. I have learned a huge amount from this board and many lessons about patience and persistence. I have to admit that I just couldn't get this one done. I was putting the gaskets on the pan and then attaching it to the motor. I was told I should have put the gaskets on the block first. I might add by Mark from here, after I had it done.
It's finally road worthy and a pure joy to drive.
Thanks for all the help from everybody. I'll try to get some pictures posted before much longer.
LP

[Terry B.]

Re: and the answer is.....

Possibly, the timing cover is deformed in the pan gasket sealing radius? I use to change cams without loosening the front of the oil pan. That would deform this area when rolling the timing cover out of position and even worse when forcing it back on. Sometimes it would leak and then I would have to drop the pan, straighten the timing cover and do the job right.