Oil leak


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By Nat Santamaria - 14 Years Ago
Hello all.

312 57 bird

I have this little puddle of oil that collects in a dimple right at the back top of the engine right where the bell housing and engine are bolted together. It is below and to the right (passenger side) of the distributor.

Does anyone know where it might be coming from and if so is it difficult to repair? I have attached an image.



thanks
By The Master Cylinder - 14 Years Ago
Looks like it could be coming from the valley cover.
By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
I would agrre with valley cover.No where else that high up to leak oil.You have to re and re the intake to replace the gasket.If you decide to do it check the pan for flatness when you have it off.They tend to get warped from overtightening.Th retainer bolts are only supposed to be tightened about 2 ft pounds which is just snug only.When I redid my motor I drilled and tapped for 6 machine screws around the outside edge into the block..No more leaks.If you go to buy a gasket at the local parts store they may have it listed as "pushrod cover" not valley pan.Took my guy about 5 minutes to figure out what gasket to order.
By slumlord444 - 14 Years Ago
Aren't they supposed to leak? I thought they all did. Could also be valve cover gasket.
By rick55 - 14 Years Ago
I like someone else's response about oil leaks. It's not leaking it's marking it's territory.

The oil leak looks like the valley cover.

Regards
By Jimz Bird - 14 Years Ago
Are the aluminum valley covers less prone to leak? I would think you want to be really careful with them to not over tighten.

Is the torque the same on the aluminum?
By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
The regular tin covers get distorted by overtightening as the eges lift as the centre pulls down.I would think the aluminum ones are less prone to distortion however they should be checked for flatness like anything else thats been exposed to heat and cold.Overtighten and they would crack possibly.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
Nat;

Back to your original question.  There is a bolt hole at the back of the head, near the distributor cap, where the plug wire bracket bolts on.  If that bolt is missing, oil will leak there, as the hole is drilled into the rear pushrod hole.  If you find you need a bolt there, be sure to use a short one so that it doesn't contact the pushrod.