Oil Leak on New crate motor

[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!

[68longhorn]

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

['71 Surf Wagon]

Originally Posted by akpackfan

I just had the same problem with the truck I just bought with a 350 crate motor in it and it ended up being the hole just above the starter solenoid that was intended to be used for a dipstick tube didn't have anything in it. No tube or plug so it was open to the oil pan and any time the engine was running oil would splash out in fine dropplets. I had to look between the header tubes, just to the rear and above the starter solenoid to see it. Might want to check it out. Symptoms were oil burning off the header tubes and a good puddle of oil on the ground, running off the bottom of the starter.

What did you plug it with? I swung by O'reilly and Auto Zone today, neither had a solution to plug that hole. Part number anyone?

[El Jay]

Well (& I'm not being a smart azz here), if worse comes to worse, install another dipstick tube & dipstick.

[LorcinLS1]

Originally Posted by akpackfan

I just had the same problem with the truck I just bought with a 350 crate motor in it and it ended up being the hole just above the starter solenoid that was intended to be used for a dipstick tube didn't have anything in it. No tube or plug so it was open to the oil pan and any time the engine was running oil would splash out in fine dropplets. I had to look between the header tubes, just to the rear and above the starter solenoid to see it. Might want to check it out. Symptoms were oil burning off the header tubes and a good puddle of oil on the ground, running off the bottom of the starter.

This might be an old post, but is the exact problem I have. I found the port just a few minutes ago and it has no plug. Unfortunately I took over someone else's project and wasn't given the motor install instruction sheet from GM. The unplugged port was spraying random droplets right onto the inside of the header and dripping onto the starter giving the impression it was the pass side valve cover. Thanks Akpackfan this post saved me a ton of ongoing aggravation.
Posted via Mobile Device

[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?

[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.

[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

[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