The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

[Tim S.]

I am still fighting an oil filter leak on my 63 L84. Here is what has been done to this point.

Reproduction canister changed to an original. That fixed the leak from the center bolt
Reproduction bypass valve.
Checked the seal surface in the block. All looks good.
Oil pressure 60 lbs cold, 35 warm
I have changed the filter and gasket a few times figuring I screwed something up.

This is an engine that is fresh and I have no prior experience with this engine (came with car already rebuilt) I am no stranger to canister style filters but have never struggled like this before.

Is there something I am overlooking?

Thanks,

Tim

[Michael G.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

I am still fighting an oil filter leak on my 63 L84. Here is what has been done to this point.

Reproduction canister changed to an original. That fixed the leak from the center bolt
Reproduction bypass valve.
Checked the seal surface in the block. All looks good.
Oil pressure 60 lbs cold, 35 warm
I have changed the filter and gasket a few times figuring I screwed something up.

This is an engine that is fresh and I have no prior experience with this engine (came with car already rebuilt) I am no stranger to canister style filters but have never struggled like this before.

Is there something I am overlooking?

Thanks,

Tim

• Did you verify these is not the remains of the old canister gasket stuck to the block?
• Torque to spec? Over torqued?
• Mis-aligned gasket.

Repro canisters are notorious for being unreliable. I've been restoring original canisters for years......typcially no issues involving a canister leak where it mates to the block.

[Joe L.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Repro canisters are notorious for being unreliable. I've been restoring original canisters for years......typcially no issues involving a canister leak where it mates to the block.

Michael-----

I expect the reason is the cost of the tooling to manufacture a canister like the originals. Aren't the reproductions also a bit thinner material than the originals (another compromise necessitated by the cost of the tooling)?

[Michael G.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Michael-----

I expect the reason is the cost of the tooling to manufacture a canister like the originals. Aren't the reproductions also a bit thinner material than the originals (another compromise necessitated by the cost of the tooling)?

Joe,

From what I've seen repro canisters are one gauge thinner than original. Unfortunately unsuspecting buyers are unware of this. Hard to beat an original canisters fittment.

[Tim S.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

I have taken another stab at it. This time, torqued to 20 lbs. Much better, but still leaks a some. BTW the old gasket is out of there. I am a little puzzled, how can the gasket get misaligned given it is captured between the bypass and the block casting?

And yes, the reproduction canister is noticably thinner than the original.

Thanks,

Tim

[Michael G.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

I have taken another stab at it. This time, torqued to 20 lbs. Much better, but still leaks a some. BTW the old gasket is out of there. I am a little puzzled, how can the gasket get misaligned given it is captured between the bypass and the block casting?

And yes, the reproduction canister is noticably thinner than the original.

Thanks,

Tim

If you have a service manual might check the torque spec as mentioned above. Believe it may be more than 20 lb.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Michael-----

I expect the reason is the cost of the tooling to manufacture a canister like the originals. Aren't the reproductions also a bit thinner material than the originals (another compromise necessitated by the cost of the tooling)?

Yes the repos are thinner than the originals. Much easier to form than the thicker ones. Make sure the bolt is tight centered.

[Joe L.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

If you have a service manual might check the torque spec as mentioned above. Believe it may be more than 20 lb.

Michael and Tim------


Spec is 25 lb/ft.

[Cecil L.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Make sure the bell housing bolt isn't too long. It can protrude into the area and damage or deform the seal.

[Tim S.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Make sure the bell housing bolt isn't too long. It can protrude into the area and damage or deform the seal.

You were spot on Cecil! After utilizing an original canister, installing a seal kit, 25 lbs of torque, and changing the bellhousing bolt, all is good. The TDB proves you never do know it all. I cannot believe I made it all of these years without a problem before.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Tim

[Jerry G.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Also be sure your venting system is installed and functioning properly. i know from experience that small blocks build up internal pressure that caused all sorts of little leaks. Jerry

[Ken A.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Are you using grease on the gasket? Do not install it dry.

[Tim S.]

Re: The oil leak continues...............................63 L84

Are you using grease on the gasket? Do not install it dry.

Yes I is