Just got the old 272 back from machine shop after complete rebuild.  After priming the oil pump w/breaking oil I noticed small amount of oil had pushed out around valve cover hold down grommet/bolts.  And, a drop of oil had formed under rear main area!!  Is this cause for alarm?  have not checked oil pressure yet.  many thanks

Sunliner

I would say that any oil leak is of some concern. How much concern depends on the source and the severity of the leak. First you need to determine the source.

I think that the oil you see around the valve cover grommets may be some sort of assembly lube. I can't think of a way oil would get to the grommet and be forced out simply by priming the system. An easy way to check the valve cover stud area is to remove the valve cover and prime it again. You will see if any oil is actually making it to the location of the grommet. It's good to prime the system with the valve covers off because you can visually confirm that oil is getting to the rockers before starting the motor.


Lawrenceville, GA

Rope or neoprene for the rear seal?  If the engine is ready to crank, go ahead and start it up and see what happens.  Unusual for a neoprene rear seal to leak on an engine that hasn’t been started regardless of building up the oil pressure.  Rope seals will some times leak until they become saturated with oil and swell up.  Oil leaking from somewhere else at the back of the block is another possibility though.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)