I am getting oil puddling at the rear of the manifold and also running down onto the bell housing. I was told it was a distributor seal by one of our knowledgable members. I wasn't even aware there was a seal at the distributor. Is it an easy replacement?
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Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
David, Which distr do you have. FI or carb. FI Typically distributors have 3 seals in them. Although a couple of FI distr. only have 2 seals. Don't think a carb distr has any. Are you running a stock oil pump? -
Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
The distributor gasket is easy to replace by removing the distrigutor. Be sure to index the distributor first, such as by bumping the engine until the rotor points straight ahead. The exact rotor position you use is arbitrary, as long as you can remember where it should be pointing after you re-install the distributor.
I had a persistant leak in the same area of my car, and it turned out to be the rear rubber seal on the intake manifold. Replacing that seal is much more complicated than replacing the gasket on the distributor, since the intake manifold has to come off. The rear intake seal is leak-prone on the small block engine, and many people recommend using RTV instead of the rubber seal, although the lack of the rubber seal is a potential point loss in judging.
To find the source of the leak, clean the area thoroughly, then start the engine and watch the area carefully with a bright shop light. In my case, the source of the leak became apparent within a few minutes of watching with the engine running at about 2000 RPM. Running the engine at higher than idle speed seems to stir things up better and reveal the source more quickly.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
Joe is correct. The distributor to manifold gasket is a thin fiber gasket that is prone to leak when the distributor is set in place. You coould use some gasket sealer (Permatex) here on both side of the gasket but use it sparingly if you have your car judged.
Dave K.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
Thanks for all the advice. The engine is a 300hp non-FI. I'll clean everything up and see if I can tell if the leak is from the distributor or the intake.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
Dave-----
You cannot use sealer on both sides of the distributor base gasket. If you do, you'll tear the gasket, for sure, when you rotate the distributor to adjust engine timing. You can use sealer on one side of the gasket, but I don't recommend it. It's usually not necessary, anyway. The gasket should seal well without sealer as long as the distributor is properly clamped down.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
Hi Dave:
My reference to RTV was for the seal between the intake manifold and the block. When installing the intake, some people prefer to use a thick (1/4 inch) bead of RTV in that location as a substitute for the GM rubber seal. The problem with the rubber seal, especially in the back, is that it tends to slide out of position as the manifold is tightened.Comment
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Re: C2 Oil Leak - Distributor seal (?)
FWIW. My oil leak in the same area that you mention turned out to be a pin hole in the oil pressure gauge line. Sure did make a mess.
Best regards,
CharlieComment
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