questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

[Paul J.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Paul, sometimes with old dryed up gaskets tighting up sometimes makes things worst, especially the old cork gaskets, as it appears the oil maybe coming from a few places timing cover and maybe the cornors of the intake(which RTV was used) and the timing cover bolts if you can't retorque them all I wouldn't bother. leaks appear to be wepping- normal.

Ed,

I did'nt say to snug anything up. That was Tim's idea. I was only warning Pete not to go nuts trying to stop the leaks.

I thought that I said the leaks were normal.

Post # 8 "That's just average grime."

Post # 11 "Old American V-8s leak when they are driven a lot, and the best way to handle it is to keep it clean until the next rebuild and replacement of the seals."

Paul

[Edward J.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Paul, I know you not the average do it yourself guy, just can tell buy your posts. sometimes we re-tighten our bolts on recently installed gaskets , but I Feel like everyone else leave it alone. retorquing old gaskets just doesnt work sometimes.as you said its normal.

[Peter M.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Thanks John - appreciate it!!

[Peter M.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Paul/Ed - thanks to both of you and I think I understand your message. BUt I still have two questions -- I assumed, maybe incorrectly, that if the valve covers, and/or intake manifold, and/or timing cover, and/or water pump gaskets were defective, that it would not be that diffficult to change now. The head gasket I assume would be more complex as would the the oil pan--are my assumptions correct?

Paul - with above paragraph in mind, and feedback from all of just clean it up and go driving, and your particular comment "....next rebuild and replacement of the seals", does that mean when you rebuild the entire motor you do at that time or do you literally mean the next time you do just seals? It may be a silly question but I am trying to learn and understand correctly. If when you redo a motor, I am in no position to do that at this time and I will start on cleanup only. If you mean just redo seals as a separate project, then I guess I am asking (see first paragraph) whether I should do. If so, do we have a recommended vendor for these gaskets, sealers, etc

Finally - understand there may be a difference of opinion as to whether snugging bolts could make things worse or better. I understand this difference which leads back to top as long as responses say changing gaskets not hard to do and not a bad time to do now. If not, my plan will be initially to not snug the bolts after clean up and see if it appears as if any spot leaks heavily. If so, then I would try snugging and if that doesn't work, then I would have to tackle a gasket for the problem area leaking too heavy

Am I on the right track?

Thanks to everyone for trying to help me. I sincerely appreciate all comments.

Thanks

Pete

At the end of the day, I am going to do what you guys suggest so just making sure I am interpreting what is being said accurately.

Fin

[Paul J.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

[quote=Peter McNamara (39648);509291] I still have two questions -- I assumed, maybe incorrectly, that if the valve covers, and/or intake manifold, and/or timing cover, and/or water pump gaskets were defective, that it would not be that diffficult to change now. The head gasket I assume would be more complex as would the the oil pan--are my assumptions correct?

Paul - with above paragraph in mind, and feedback from all of just clean it up and go driving, and your particular comment "....next rebuild and replacement of the seals", does that mean when you rebuild the entire motor you do at that time or do you literally mean the next time you do just seals? If you mean just redo seals as a separate project, then I guess I am asking (see first paragraph) whether I should do. If so, do we have a recommended vendor for these gaskets, sealers, etc

Finally - understand there may be a difference of opinion as to whether snugging bolts could make things worse or better. I understand this difference which leads back to top as long as responses say changing gaskets not hard to do and not a bad time to do now. If not, my plan will be initially to not snug the bolts after clean up and see if it appears as if any spot leaks heavily. If so, then I would try snugging and if that doesn't work, then I would have to tackle a gasket for the problem area leaking too heavy


Pete,

Your gaskets are'nt defective, just old and worn. Like many of the "high mileage" members of this board (including me). They are functioning fine, just leaking a little. When you eventually rebuild the engine, you will replace all of these gaskets and seals, as part of the rebuild. Once you take something off, you cannot reuse the old seal, nor would you want to. You rebuild an engine when there's a mechanical issue with it, not for the seals. The only time that I saw someone take an engine apart just to replace the seals was a Volvo back in the 70's. The leaks were so bad you could'nt keep fluids in it.

Sometimes you will replace the gaskets when replacing a defective part, a water pump for instance. And I'll admit that I've replaced goose neck gaskets, carb base plate gaskets, and intake manifold gaskets to stop a minor leak. Rotating shaft seals require the removal of several parts to get to them, and I think that you would find that it is not worth the effort for the minor leaks in your pictures.

As for snugging things up, I've found loose bolts before and retightened them. This can slow leaks in paper and rubber gaskets, but this is a temporary fix. You can't do this with cork gaskets and I would never attempt it with a head gasket. I'll also admit that in my younger days I've stripped threads in an aluminum intake by being a gorilla and not using the torque specs. My previous comment about using the torque specs was from experience.

Pete, you can do whatever you want, but I would take the great advice from the other posters and just clean it. It's instant gratification for your efforts, and it's quick and easy to do. I've lived with leaks like this on several cars, and I kept them in check with an occaisional cleaning.

Paul

[Peter M.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Paul - got it!!! Thanks for your response. Cleanup wihtout gaskets, at least for now, it is!!!

[Peter M.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

To all - My friend sandblasted the radiator support. Writing because I just realized, before I put it back when copper recored arrives back from DeWitts, I have no idea what paint to color the support (i.e. it is black but what black) nor where I would purchase the paint? Same for front frame and parts there that I see and firewall, etc. Orange paint for motor, once clean, non-issue- I know I can get that.

Can someone tell me the colors and vendors to get from?

Thanks

Pete

[Edward J.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

To all - My friend sandblasted the radiator support. Writing because I just realized, before I put it back when copper recored arrives back from DeWitts, I have no idea what paint to color the support (i.e. it is black but what black) nor where I would purchase the paint? Same for front frame and parts there that I see and firewall, etc. Orange paint for motor, once clean, non-issue- I know I can get that.

Can someone tell me the colors and vendors to get from?

Thanks




Pete

Pete, a low gloss black paint, I believe that dupli color has a close color,or satin black would work.

[Patrick H.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

It probably started out semi-gloss; however, you must understand that it was in place when the body was painted and when the engine compartment was blacked out. So, for example, my 72 has two shades of black + some yellow showing. If you want to approximate original, spray the whole thing in semi-gloss, and then spray the ends (horizontal pieces) in semi-flat engine blackout.

[Mike G.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Mr. McNamara, I would suggest that you visit the Eastwood company website and/or their catalog. They seem to specialize in providing the kind of paint and information that you are seeking.
eastwood.com (800) 345-1178.

[Peter M.]

Re: questions on leaking oil on 71 LT-1

Thanks to all for responses.

And speciall note to Mr. Griffith: please call me Pete, not Mr. McNamara. You make me feel older than I am which is already still pretty old!!!

Thanks for your contributions too!!!

Pete