Oil leak - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 11:35 AM

So I changed my valve cover gaskets and the one on the drivers side seems to be leaking...is there any certain amount of torque needed to be put on them? I'm asking because there is an oil leak at what looks like the back of my valve cover...anyway it is dripping oil onto my exhaust and causing a hellacious amount of smoke so I don't want to drive it if it's leaking oil and making tons of smoke..any advice?

william chad purvis · 09-10-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semperfidoordie

So I changed my valve cover gaskets and the one on the drivers side seems to be leaking...is there any certain amount of torque needed to be put on them? I'm asking because there is an oil leak at what looks like the back of my valve cover...anyway it is dripping oil onto my exhaust and causing a hellacious amount of smoke so I don't want to drive it if it's leaking oil and making tons of smoke..any advice?

I had the same problem last week and a older fellow told me to tighten the to one the outside first then tighten the other two closest to the intake next now a certian torque I dont know.give em hell

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 11:43 AM

okay i'll give that a wack cause I was kind of mad cause it's the LAST thing before I take it down to get inspected..

49m · 09-10-2007, 12:20 PM

just put them snug.

jamesi20 · 09-10-2007, 01:09 PM

I think it is real low torque number like 5lbs.

Ole Blue 68 · 09-10-2007, 03:08 PM

What kind of gaskets did you use? Cork or Rubber?

jorgensensc · 09-10-2007, 04:51 PM

Could it be your oil sender at the back of the block? Those are notorious for leaking and wouldlook like a valve cover in the back. Just an idea.
Shawn

72 cheyenne pdx · 09-10-2007, 05:18 PM

About tightening the bolts down, I was told by a mechanic that to hand tight them all first, then with a wrench to give them a 1/4 to 1/2 turn each. He also said that everybody did it differently, but he recommended to tighten them in a criss-cross pattern.

Good Luck.

PanelDeland · 09-10-2007, 05:30 PM

Check your valve cover for a tweaked or bent flange.They can be bowed,bent or warped easily.(maybe that's why you needed to change them).Someone may have tightened them too much previously and caused an untrue surface which wont seal well.

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 05:45 PM

i used rubber fel pros

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 05:45 PM

anyone got pictures of an oil sender?

'68 longbed · 09-10-2007, 06:25 PM

dont be afraid of the rtv either, they tell you not to use it but that's crap. put a light smear on both sides of the gasket.they'll seal up great

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 06:27 PM

I used some Permatex indian head sealer...just can't figure out why the heck it won't seal...so I just got the valve cover on now how long should I take to let it seal?

ChevyC102007 · 09-10-2007, 06:33 PM

It says on the package to let them set for 24 hours, but I usually let em sit as long as it takes me to pick up my tools and get in and start the truck (about 30 minutes or so) the heat from the motor will help em seal abit. But if you have a bent flange it wont matter how long they sit. If thats the case an old trick I use is to lay the outer edge of the cover on a flat surface and lightly tap the inside edge of the mating surface with a hammer, its worked for me in the past but thats just my humble opinion.

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 07:01 PM

still leakin...guess it'll be to the store for more gaskets and try and see if the valve cover is bent...didn't look like it

'68 longbed · 09-10-2007, 07:06 PM

personally I hate the solid rubbe type gaskets, they don't seem to seal that well. go withthe cork with the rubber in it

semperfidoordie · 09-10-2007, 07:08 PM

i'll give that a try...although they are aftermarket valve covers the guy before me put on...the tall kind...i have some 327 old school short valve covers I might try...not sure...guess i'll give the cork ones a shot

bryanw1968 · 09-10-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semperfidoordie

I used some Permatex indian head sealer...just can't figure out why the heck it won't seal...so I just got the valve cover on now how long should I take to let it seal?

IMHO they way to do it is pull the valve cover off and put some monkey snot(3M Weather Adhesive) on the valve cover and then put the gasket onto the cover. Let it set for a little bit and then put it back on the head. That way, not only will it not leak, but you'll be able to pull the valve cover back off and it will be stuck to the cover not the cover AND the head. That's a huge mess. I always use cork when doing it this way and have not leaks ever.

Also, like mentioned before, make sure your valve cover is not tweaked. Using aluminum is the best way to go for no leaks IMHO.

Ole Blue 68 · 09-11-2007, 09:02 AM

Due to some leaks on my cork, I switched over to the felpro rubber and a healthy dose of RTV and so far, no problems.

Maybe you got some warpage or a dent in the valve cover, or maybe you missed some of the old gasket. Just thinking of the easy possibilities....

semperfidoordie · 09-11-2007, 09:48 AM

well bad turned into real bad...i pulled the valve covers again and found this time that now there is antifreeze soaking my valve train..pulled the #1 spark plug and it has antifreeze on it too...any suggestions?

Ole Blue 68 · 09-11-2007, 10:07 AM

Definitely not good. Sounds like you got a head gasket leak or a cracked cylinder head.

You haven't driven it too much since you noticed the oil leak have you?

semperfidoordie · 09-11-2007, 01:29 PM

no i haven't driven it at all since then....just don't know what's up...i'm thinking head gasket because those are cast iron heads don't think they'd crack would they?

Ole Blue 68 · 09-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semperfidoordie

no i haven't driven it at all since then....just don't know what's up...i'm thinking head gasket because those are cast iron heads don't think they'd crack would they?

Well that's good. Don't want to do more damage than you already got.

My first guess would be the gasket but then you never know. Cast iron heads are pretty tough but they're not bulletproof. Is it possible to crack a head by overtorquing a valve cover fastener? I'm not an expert so maybe somebody else may be able to answer this one.

bryanw1968 · 09-11-2007, 02:04 PM

I would think it would be more likely that you have a leaking head gasket than a blow gasket. SBC heads have a lot of bolts holding them on. It could be cracked also. Man I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems like this. Let us know what you find out.

semperfidoordie · 09-11-2007, 03:43 PM

i'll be checking it out tonight...cause if the motor is saveable i'm going to keep this beast...if not then well...i'm going to have to figure something out because i need a vehicle as does the wife...things are getting kind of tense because the truck was almost done now it's back at square one

09-10-2007, 11:43 AM	#3
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak okay i'll give that a wack cause I was kind of mad cause it's the LAST thing before I take it down to get inspected.. __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-10-2007, 12:20 PM	#4
49m Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Turners Station,Ky Posts: 842	Re: Oil leak just put them snug.

09-10-2007, 01:09 PM	#5
jamesi20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NORTHEAST OHIO Posts: 493	Re: Oil leak I think it is real low torque number like 5lbs.

09-10-2007, 03:08 PM	#6
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Oil leak What kind of gaskets did you use? Cork or Rubber?

09-10-2007, 04:51 PM	#7
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Oil leak Could it be your oil sender at the back of the block? Those are notorious for leaking and wouldlook like a valve cover in the back. Just an idea. Shawn __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

09-10-2007, 11:35 AM	#1
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Oil leak So I changed my valve cover gaskets and the one on the drivers side seems to be leaking...is there any certain amount of torque needed to be put on them? I'm asking because there is an oil leak at what looks like the back of my valve cover...anyway it is dripping oil onto my exhaust and causing a hellacious amount of smoke so I don't want to drive it if it's leaking oil and making tons of smoke..any advice? __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-10-2007, 05:18 PM	#8
72 cheyenne pdx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 382	Re: Oil leak About tightening the bolts down, I was told by a mechanic that to hand tight them all first, then with a wrench to give them a 1/4 to 1/2 turn each. He also said that everybody did it differently, but he recommended to tighten them in a criss-cross pattern. Good Luck.

09-10-2007, 05:30 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Oil leak Check your valve cover for a tweaked or bent flange.They can be bowed,bent or warped easily.(maybe that's why you needed to change them).Someone may have tightened them too much previously and caused an untrue surface which wont seal well. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-10-2007, 05:45 PM	#10
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak i used rubber fel pros __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-10-2007, 05:45 PM	#11
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak anyone got pictures of an oil sender? __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-10-2007, 06:25 PM	#12
'68 longbed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 181	Re: Oil leak dont be afraid of the rtv either, they tell you not to use it but that's crap. put a light smear on both sides of the gasket.they'll seal up great __________________ "spiiiider pig, spiiiiider pig, does whatever spiiiider pig does. "

09-10-2007, 06:27 PM	#13
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak I used some Permatex indian head sealer...just can't figure out why the heck it won't seal...so I just got the valve cover on now how long should I take to let it seal? __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-10-2007, 06:33 PM	#14
ChevyC102007 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Emporium,Pa Posts: 248	Re: Oil leak It says on the package to let them set for 24 hours, but I usually let em sit as long as it takes me to pick up my tools and get in and start the truck (about 30 minutes or so) the heat from the motor will help em seal abit. But if you have a bent flange it wont matter how long they sit. If thats the case an old trick I use is to lay the outer edge of the cover on a flat surface and lightly tap the inside edge of the mating surface with a hammer, its worked for me in the past but thats just my humble opinion. __________________ "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." [Cherokee saying] 2001 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 4x4. (old ride) 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic ("new" ride) Last edited by ChevyC102007; 09-10-2007 at 06:36 PM.

09-10-2007, 07:01 PM	#15
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak still leakin...guess it'll be to the store for more gaskets and try and see if the valve cover is bent...didn't look like it __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-10-2007, 07:06 PM	#16
'68 longbed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 181	Re: Oil leak personally I hate the solid rubbe type gaskets, they don't seem to seal that well. go withthe cork with the rubber in it __________________ "spiiiider pig, spiiiiider pig, does whatever spiiiider pig does. "



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09-10-2007, 07:08 PM	#17
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak i'll give that a try...although they are aftermarket valve covers the guy before me put on...the tall kind...i have some 327 old school short valve covers I might try...not sure...guess i'll give the cork ones a shot __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-11-2007, 09:02 AM	#19
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Oil leak Due to some leaks on my cork, I switched over to the felpro rubber and a healthy dose of RTV and so far, no problems. Maybe you got some warpage or a dent in the valve cover, or maybe you missed some of the old gasket. Just thinking of the easy possibilities....

09-11-2007, 09:48 AM	#20
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak well bad turned into real bad...i pulled the valve covers again and found this time that now there is antifreeze soaking my valve train..pulled the #1 spark plug and it has antifreeze on it too...any suggestions? __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-11-2007, 10:07 AM	#21
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Oil leak Definitely not good. Sounds like you got a head gasket leak or a cracked cylinder head. You haven't driven it too much since you noticed the oil leak have you?

09-11-2007, 01:29 PM	#22
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak no i haven't driven it at all since then....just don't know what's up...i'm thinking head gasket because those are cast iron heads don't think they'd crack would they? __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

09-11-2007, 02:04 PM	#24
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: Oil leak I would think it would be more likely that you have a leaking head gasket than a blow gasket. SBC heads have a lot of bolts holding them on. It could be cracked also. Man I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems like this. Let us know what you find out.

09-11-2007, 03:43 PM	#25
semperfidoordie Fix It Till It's Broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 29 Palms, CA Posts: 1,616	Re: Oil leak i'll be checking it out tonight...cause if the motor is saveable i'm going to keep this beast...if not then well...i'm going to have to figure something out because i need a vehicle as does the wife...things are getting kind of tense because the truck was almost done now it's back at square one __________________ Tony Black Beauty: 85 C-10 SOLD! Great White: 69 LWB Custom Camper/20 SOLD! Blue Dragon: 72 K-10 SOLD! The Tank 77 K-10 KIA panhandler62: Just don't search for "trannys" no matter how hard yours shifts -- you just won't get what you are looking for. I Made The Official So Cal Board Meet

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