Oil Leak on New crate motor

[Shyguy]

Originally Posted by 67/72junkie

I use only felpro cork gaskets on my valve covers.I use 3m weather strip adhesive and glue the gaskets to the valve covers first. After they dry sitting on a flat surface I run a very thin bead of blue permatex on the engine side and rub out flat before installing.As long as you do not over tighten and pinch the gasket you can remove and it will pop right off without breaking to adjust valves etc.lightly rub off permatex and run new bead and reinstall.keeps a good seal and makes the gasket reusable.Most valve covers leak due to over tightening or cheap chrome covers .

I agree, the way I have always done it.

Danny

[Racinaround]

If its a real GM Create Engine then it should be under warrenty????
You shouldn't have to mess with it

[My son gave me this]

Originally Posted by Racinaround

If its a real GM Create Engine then it should be under warrenty????
You shouldn't have to mess with it

And spoil all the fun?

[wlt3355]

Not sure how old this thread is, but still giving solid advice.

I too have a new 350 crate motor that has that same mysterious oil leak around the starter, and after checking everything I could think of, I finally noticed a tiny bit of oil on the recently washed off area, and lo and behold...there is that hole in the block for (I assume) a right or left hand dipstick, and as mentioned before, it just splashes enough to keep everything lubricated well...NOW HOW DO I GET TO THAT SPOT AND WHAT WILL FIT IN THAT HOLE?

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by wlt3355

Not sure how old this thread is, but still giving solid advice.

I too have a new 350 crate motor that has that same mysterious oil leak around the starter, and after checking everything I could think of, I finally noticed a tiny bit of oil on the recently washed off area, and lo and behold...there is that hole in the block for (I assume) a right or left hand dipstick, and as mentioned before, it just splashes enough to keep everything lubricated well...NOW HOW DO I GET TO THAT SPOT AND WHAT WILL FIT IN THAT HOLE?

I just installed a crate engine in my truck, I used the dipstick tube and dipstick in the drivers side hole and they sent a solid steel plug to install in the hole that you dont use...I didnt like the plug, because it would slip on down into the engine,there was no way to keep it from doing that,so I took a 3/8" bolt and cut the threads off.it was a long enough bolt to have about 3/4" of smooth bolt left and the head....I used gasgacinch gasket sealer and glued it in the hole, no way for it to ever fall into the engine and it is sealed good,you could use pretty much any gasket sealer or a silicone gasket sealer...

[wlt3355]

I am actually thinking of just getting another dipstick, that hole is deep behind headers, starter and not easily accessible, I just do not see to reach it without removing the starter

I feel bad, been chasing this leak for about the 600 mile life of this engine and just now discovering this

[68longhorn]

I also have 2 leaks on my 330hp crate motor. One in the front, one in the rear. Why so many crate motors that leak? I need to diag mine still

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by 68longhorn

i also have 2 leaks on my 330hp crate motor. One in the front, one in the rear. why so many crate motors that leak? i need to diag mine still

hecho en mexico!

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by 68longhorn

I also have 2 leaks on my 330hp crate motor. One in the front, one in the rear. Why so many crate motors that leak? I need to diag mine still

no telling how long these engines sit in a warehouse, and gaskets and seals dry out over time

i had the same problem with a old 2 barrel carb i got from a parts house one time, bolted it on and the gaskets where dried out from sitting on the shelf for so long that the thing leaked like a sieve when i fired it up, had to take it apart and replace the gaskets

[68longhorn]

Haha true. My 86 305 has less leaks @ 130k miles than my crate motor does at 10k miles.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The Goodwrench engines come with new valve covers & new oil pan. The plug for the extra dipstick hole is provided with the engine.
I have put hundreds of these engines in & any oil leaks have been installer faults.

[Banderian]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

The Goodwrench engines come with new valve covers & new oil pan. The plug for the extra dipstick hole is provided with the engine.
I have put hundreds of these engines in & any oil leaks have been installer faults.

Yep. Even though I had never done it before, I installed my crate 350 without much problem. Fortunately, I looked at the passenger side dip stick hole and realized something was missing. I looked in the bag that the warranty was in, and there was the plug I needed. Tapped it in and haven't had any problem there. Of course, I have other leaks, which is why I'm reading this thread.