Strange oil leak

[Noel K.]

I just changed the oil in my 327 c.i./365 HP '65 roadster. Changed the filter as well. Added 6 quarts of oil.

Now, there is a small "puddle" of oil that collected on top of the intake manifold at the rear of the manifold that looks like it originated from the breather tube that is attached to the air cleaner. The "puddle" is very small, perhaps the size of a pencil eraser - but it should be there at all. The "puddle" is next to the edge of the intake where the intake bolt depressions are. If I wasn't so computer challenged I post a pic.

I only drove the car about 5 miles after changing the oil to ensure no leak from the filter canister or the drain plug. There is no oil leak evident at the back of the engine - bell housing,etc. Prior to this the engine had been leak free following a complete rebuild about 1500 miles ago.

I thought the "flow" on the breather tube was away from the air filter/carburetor, but this looks like the oil was pulled up into the air cleaner through the breather tube.

Any suggestion as to what would cause this to occur.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Strange oil leak

Noel,
That may be a difficult oil leak to find, I would say it's from one of the intake bolts because the oil can find it's way up the threads. If you suspect this, remove the bolt and put some non hardening sealer like permatex but clean the threads good before sealer. Could also be from distributor but I doubt it.
I remember a while back someone saying this is not uncommon for your engine. I hope when you rebuilt the engine you installed the correct high pressure standard volumn pump, 60+- PSI relief.

[Jeremy D.]

Re: Strange oil leak

I was going to say "check your distributor" as I have a leak in my '70 that I spent hours tracing....SWORE TO GOD it was the oil pressure tube going to the gauge....turns out, as I was taking off my ignition shielding (gotta pop the cap off unless you want to undo all the plug wires---not happening) and lo and behold, there was oil in the distributor and it was SLOWLY leaking 15W40 out the base and onto my bellhousing. Since it leaks barely 1/2 a quart a year of hard driving and the oil gets nowhere near the upper part where the Pertronix is, I figure at least I KNOW the distributor is nice & lubed up, and
that is the only leak I have on the car. So until I get financially ambitious and decide to rebuild the distributor......let 'er leak!