Help- oil leak not like anything else

[justwhatido]

Pasenger side of engine. Valve cover gasket seems to be dry. Back two spark plug wires get some on them. getting oil on header pipe, and running down on starter.

Also seems to be intermittant. Dripped none this morning and all day at work. Then left 4" puddle in garage after home.

Going to pull the header this weekend. Anyone got suggestions what to look for?

 

[nvrenuf]

My money is on the valve cover gaskets. That's about the only thing on the side that could wet the plug wires and create that big of a puddle in a short time.

 

[lectric80]

Yep, valve cover gasket in the back corner. Remember that GM engines are on a slight tilt to the rear of the engine, this causes some pooling of oil in the back corner of the head. It also tends to be where the valve seals fail that then burn a bit of oil on startup.

 

[chromewontgetyouhome]

What year motor? I had a bad seal where the dipstick meets the block on my 86 305 (pass side).

 

[justwhatido]

2005 GM Goodwrench crate engine from Jegs. But dipstick on driver side on this one

 

[Mike D]

You might want to check the oil pressure switch. It's usually located in a low spot at the back of the engine near the distributor. They usually leak at the threads or at the the plastic - metal crimp, and when the oil pressure is real high ( engine cold, decellerating ). The leaked oil will follow the bellhousing radius. It is cheap to replace but requires a special tool to install properly. Auto Zone or Advanced Auto will loan ( with deposit ) the tool.

 

[justwhatido]

This the same as the oil pressure sending unit? Just sat down with our maint. director who raced for years. He suggested that since the problem seemed primarily in the rear of the engine, then I should check the oil pressure sending unit. I will do that soon as I get home tonight.

 

[bigbadchev84]

Be sure to check the back of the intake gasket as well

 

[Mike D]

Yes, that's it.