Lubricating the dust & timing chain covers

[dazza]

ok, so I have about 200 miles on the complete rebuild and running great. I just noticed a few drops of oil on the dust cover as well as a few at the pan drain plug. Looking at the front of the dust cover it has been hit by a few flying drops but not many. Pulled the cover to find a bit of oil along the the top REAR ridge and and of course seeing where it has flowed down and out the hole. Looking up at the clutch there is splatter on the ceiling of the bell-housing as well as grease and (I think)oil at the throwout bearing and clutch fork.

you think from external seeping in or possible rear main seal??

Also noticed a few drips on the other end... on the bottom of my timing chain cover (last picture).

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[midniteblues]

On timing covers I always install the damper then tighten the cover bolts. it helps too center the seal on the damper.
They can also develope a groove a speedy sleeve will help with this. Lubing the seal or damper when installing will keep it from burning up before it gets engine oil.

If there is oil between the flywheel and block suspect the rear main or oil pan seals.

If the oil is on the throw out bearing side it could be coming from the input shaft of the trans.
I've seen throw out bearings sling grease in the bell. That never concerned me unless it was noisey. Lookin back at you pic the grease on the bearing should be there it's too lube the fork and bearing contact area. Also should be some on the sleeve of the bearing retainer.

Just trying too help here.

[special-K]

maybe putting that dye in the oil would help you figure it out. I could guess, but with oil showing front and back the only single problem I can think of is pan gasket didn't seat well. That's the only thing both areas have in common. Could be separate issues

[midniteblues]

Originally Posted by special-K

maybe putting that dye in the oil would help you figure it out. I could guess, but with oil showing front and back the only single problem I can think of is pan gasket didn't seat well. That's the only thing both areas have in common. Could be separate issues

That's a good idea there tim.
I guess it wouldn't hurt too check the snuggness of the pan bolts also after the 200mi. Of Heat cycles.

[GASoline71]

If a Small Block Chevy isn't leaking oil... it's OUT!



Gary

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

If a Small Block Chevy isn't leaking oil... it's OUT!



Gary

Yes, re-snug them pan bolts, header & intake bolts as well, especially after a rebuild...Gary's disgustingly right though, so keep a rag handy!

[ElKotze]

What oil pan gasket did you use? The 4-piece is crap, you never get them to seal right. I recommend the felpro 1-piece gasket, it's a blue rubber piece. Works great.

[dazza]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

If the oil is on the throw out bearing side it could be coming from the input shaft of the trans.
I've seen throw out bearings sling grease in the bell. That never concerned me unless it was noisey. Lookin back at you pic the grease on the bearing should be there it's too lube the fork and bearing contact area. Also should be some on the sleeve of the bearing retainer.

I was thinking input shaft as well and because it's been a few years (long project) since I installed the clutch I couldn't remember if I had or was supposed to lube the fork area or not.

Originally Posted by midniteblues

Just trying too help here.

and it's appreciated! Thanks

Originally Posted by special-K

pan gasket

those two words unlocked that folder in some directory somewhere in my brain, the one I lost only a few short days ago, labelled "To Do Because You Noticed It Needs To Be Done" ... but what was it?

well thanks to midniteblues addition of the word "snuggness" I finally remembered being under the truck doing something and found a loose pan bolt... one of those, "I'll get right on that as soon as I finish... blah blah blah".

Hopefully the solution, as most needed it! Going on a snugging hunt tomorrow.

Originally Posted by GASoline71

If a Small Block Chevy isn't leaking oil... it's OUT!



Gary

If I remember correctly, a tiny leak was why I pulled my truck into a friends garage some seven or so years back, and just drove it out a few weeks ago!

Originally Posted by ElKotze

I recommend the felpro 1-piece gasket, it's a blue rubber piece. Works great.

yep, that's what's in there!


Thanks for all your input and memory jolting!!