Leaky engine

[Boise69]

I have a leaky engine, if she sits a weekend; my garage floor has no less than 3-4 spots in different places. dark oil, about 4 drips, a pancake size gas drip under the fuel pump area and red steering fluid under the steering pump area and under the tranny another 2-3 drips.


Would you pull it all together and re-seal it or do you leave it in and re-seal where needed? On your back with crap falling in your eyes. ?

[bryanw1968]

If it were me I'd take it to the car wash and clean the underneath really well and make sure it's not something that you could fix easily. Once you "pull the whole thing", now you're talking about possible performance upgrades and rebuilding.

[krue]

Yeah, you can open Pandora's box like that.

[sick69]

THATS NO JOKE!!!!!!!

I started just wanting to do a quick rattle can paintjob on the frame and then start reinstalling!!

that was ten years ago, an added camaro subframe, narrowed rearend, and now shaved doors(soon to open backwards), two different engines built for it and a long list of plans!!!!!

carefull with the "i'll just do this one thing"

Frank

[72armyswbtruck]

Boy don't we all have that same problem, I just wanted to clean up the engine compartment, pulled the front clip, stripped down the frame, new motor, new rad support, por-15 on the frame
It never ends

[Boise69]

Yea but do you do that to your house too? ya know, see a wall you dont like and then your living in a construction zone for 3 months? i wont do that, i want to pull it, seal it, clean the bay, clean the frame below it, re-line the hyd brakes, tackle the front rotor conversion..... oh damn, youre right.

[68GMC454]

im lucky..or is that lazy..the reason i will never own a show truck,,i hate ccleaning them...i keep them washed..but im nnot worried about under the hood..most of the tiem when install a engine,,it goes in like it came out..if its got a big leak,,then fix it,,other than that i figure it was running good when i pulled it with the grease and stuuf on it,,it will keep on running that way.. but on my 68,,im turning over a new leaf,,since my friend is going to do most of the owrk due to me not being able to do alot anymore,,it will be cleaned up..i guess i might as well paint under the hood while im at it to..

[Longhorn Man]

I went to chainge the air filter on my 350... now all of a sudden it's a 500.
Assuming it is not your only ride, i would pull the engine, replace the gaskets, have a look see inside (bearings and stuff) and paint it all up and get it ready to install.
Then i would end up cleaning and painting the eng compartment.
Could all be done in a weekend or two and the results would be max for the dollar spent.

[Boise69]

Longhorn man ... well put and i'm glad i've got confirmation of my thinking. I'm afraid to yank but it will be better in the long run if i do, as long as i stayed focused. My friend Zacut has his all pulled a part and as neat as that is, its also freightening.

68GMC454 - you joined in Nov, 1 month before me, that only tells me your mind is going to change a little later than mine

[76bonanza]

I have not owned many, around 3 old chevys and they all have leaked some were. Even after many atempts to stop them, sometimes they work sometimes they are worse. I think of it as a way to keep the fluid flushed. But honestly many leaks just have to be lived with short of a new motor.

[Longhorn Man]

i'll disagree with that comment 100%

[76bonanza]

I did not mean it as a bash on chevy just that I dont think it is worth it to pull a motor and replace a crank to fix a bothersome but minor rear main seal leak.

[underdog8704]

i had the same problem. motor leaked like crazy. i bought a gasket kit and was going to reseal the whole thing. turned into a 383 stroker. 5 grand later and guess what...it still leaks.

[jimmydean]

Mine only leaks when running, so it's not so bad. After driving, I get about 3 or 4 quater sized spots, then it's done. I need to track it down because it didn't leak in the truck I pulled it from. So somewhere in the swap, I made it leak.

[lilpup69chevy]

hey look at the bright side its not really just leaking its marking its territory LOL

[Boise69]

I just hope she's not marking her territory all the way to my office and back. Sorry to brake it to her... but that engine is coming out to be resealed. I want to put a new urathene floor in my garage and i dont want her pissing on that everyday!

[DennyB]

Boise69,
I would pull her too. Gives you a chance to replace all the freeze plugs too.
I'm finishing up a 350 now to go in the 72. New seals gaskets fresh orange paint. Will also give me the opportunity to clean up the dog house.
I'm thinking of throwing a timing chain in as well.

hmmm I'm in that far, perhaps a new cam, roller rockers, intake....

"Stay focused Denny!"

[Longhorn Man]

some good ideas.... and yes, this feeds the snow ball effect, but, it would be kinda dumb not to replace the freeze plugs... brass if you can locate them, they won't rust, a new T-chain, inspect the bearings, a new oil pump isn't a bad idea (onless your pressure looks awsome already) and a good paint job.
When painting under the hood, alluminum foil can be used to keep from getting overspray on things... say your greenish firewall, you want to paint the inner fenderts and frame rails, cover the green with alluminum foil and crinke it in place... it won't move. This is a VERY good idea when detailing an engine that is already in the truck.
Some things you can do to help the engine detail job look more professional, bolts get painted seperatly, pullies and brackets seperately, freeze plugs go in after paint... stuff like that.

[DennyB]

Good ideas Andy!

[ETsC10]

Boise69,
I think you need to isolate where the problem spots are coming from. I would start with the fuel leak because it could present a fire hazard and could also leave you stranded. Fuel pumps are cheap plus maybe it’s just a fitting needing tightening. Your oil leaks may be minor fixes, as well, you won’t know until you trace them.
Personally, I have driven my C-10 for many years; traced and fixed what I could, knowing that eventually I would be replacing the engine (doing that now). Due to the route I’ve taken, I park in the gravel and am banned from parking in more visible areas at work (on the asphalt in front of the store).
If you plan on replacing the engine it still may be to your advantage to trace and understand the leaks so you don't have to chase gremlins after the new motor is in.
Just my 2 cents worth from someone who has to keep the (3) projects on the road.
ET

[68C15]

this is a real simple fix. most appliance dealers are happy to give away a fridge box. every few months just swap it out for a new piece. cost? FREE!! done.

on the other hand I have fixed all my leaks except fot the small class I (maybe a class II) on my tranny governor cover.