'65 327 oil leak source???

[Mark Morrison]

Hello again-
would sure appreciate something else to look for here:

I'm breaking in my new 327, and am finding a maddening small oil leak in the rear driver side head area. There is a small "pond" on the rear of the block near where the ignintion shielding bracket bolts on, and then it continues down to the inspection plate area.

I used to have a leak from the oil pressure sending gage, but it is now dry all around; the valve covers have a new cork gasket and it is dry all around; the intake manifold gasket is new and dry all around.

I didn't think there was any other place for oil to leak from?? Possibly the head gasket... but this engine was balanced, blueprinted, and dyno tested.

Thanks,

Mark Morrison

22477

[Dino L.]

Re: '65 327 oil leak source???

Did you check for the gasket underneath the distributor mounting flange?

[Mark Morrison]

Re: '65 327 oil leak source???

Hey Dino - Thanks for the response!

I suspected the distributor flange, but it is dry also.

I didn't know there was a gasket underneath, but I assume it must be in place and holding since it is not oily in this area.

I'm afraid I know the answer, since it is only oily "down low", it must be the heads/head gasket, unless I'm missing something

[Chuck G.]

Re: '65 327 oil leak source???

The most common place for them to leak "back there" is at the "V" created where the intake manifold meets the block/head. Often the gaskets don't quite make it together there where the fiber intake gasket meets the rubber gasket that goes over the back of the block. Many put a dab of silicon in each "V"...same deal up front too. Check the easy stuff first...valve cover, oil sender/pressure apparatus, dist. gasket. Closely check the "V" area again. Bet you'll find your leak. Hope this helps. Chuck

[John H.]

Re: '65 327 oil leak source???

There's also an allen-head pipe plug in the block surface behind the head, just outboard of the transition from the horizontal machined intake surface to the angled machined surface the head seats on; about half of it should be visible with the head in place. This plug seals an oil gallery drill access hole, and if it hasn't sealed, it will leak oil in exactly the area you describe (and off the lower surface behind the head at the bottom of the head seating area). Wipe everything in the area clean, sprinkle some talcum powder around, fire it up, and you'll be able to see where the oil is coming from.

[GLEN RITZ]

Re: '65 327 oil leak source???

Mark, John hit it right on the nose....You are describing a textbook oil leak from the oil gallery drill access hole which in turn seaps though the head gasket. The only cure is to remove the head and remove plug and clean off all oil and then reinstall plug with a high heat expoxy or thread sealant. To have this done in a shop costs about $300-$400. I know, I just had mine done, and it was rebuilt, ballance, blue...etc. Hope this helps, Glen.

[Clem Z.]

Re: '65 327 oil leak source???

even with the head on you can see the plug enought to get in there and clean the area with a good brake cleaner,blow it out with air pressure and then fill the recess with a good oil proof epoxy. if the leak is just weeping this will work. been there done that!!!