Pissin oil!!

[Stu2z0031]

Ok well about a month ago I noticed I had a small oil leak coming off the back of my oil pan. It then progressed to a substantial leak that would drip onto my exhaust and get everything underneath soaked in oil. And now I walk out and I see this
I've replace the vc gaskets and it doesn't seem to be coming from the sending unit or dist based on no fresh oil behind them.
I should also mention that I had oil coming out of my dipstick enough to where it would come out and drip on everything on that side of the engine.

So do you guys think this could be my rear main seal?

And I also have another question. I really don't have a dipstick only a tube that halfway fits due to clearance issues with the what I though to be stock headers. I'll take a pic of this tomorrow but it's really annoying not being able to really check my oil.

 

[63chevyll]

Hard to say unless its all cleaned up. MAybe car wash the underside and see again.

Could be dipstick or rear main? Also there are oil plugs at back of block, but those rarely leak

 

[ccarley]

Oh man, my Suburban was/and now is doing the same thing again.

Previously, it was the adapter between the oil filter and the block, not sure if the earlier blocks have this device. There's an o-ring and a gasket that were quite crusty in mine. Replacing those fixed my leak for a while, and it's come back again.

I too fear it may be my rear main. When I was watching the guy at the Smog shop, I noticed it was spewing more oil under load too (LOL) making a puddle on the shop floor...

Also don't forget to check the PCV valve; that's something often overlooked, and if it fails, you can start spewing oil wherever it can find a way too.

Good luck...

 

[Deuling]

Take the inspection cover off the bell housing, should be able to see if oil is dripping from the crank. And put a real dipstick in there. I dont see how one wouldnt fit with headers, just bend it some if it doesnt quite fit.

 

[80' 427]

The back of the intake or maybe the oil pressure gauge is something to also look at.

 

[Stu2z0031]

Ok guys sorry for the late response. Today is the first du I got to check on my k5. I've spent the last two days working on a family members minivan -__-

Anyways I've determined the my oil leak is coming from the rear main crank seal. Probably going to replace that this week. But I still have an issue with my dipstick.
I hate not being able to check my oil and I was wonder what exactly would fit. It looks as if the PO tried to bend it to make it fit but it's just not seating all the way.
Here's some pics

I'm not sure how well you can see them but the headers are pretty much blocking th hole for the dipstick. I'll try to get some better pics Probably Sunday afternoon since I have to run a funeral service tomorrow.
So what dipstick do you guys think will fit. I'm at a loss and I really hate not being able to check the fluids.
Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[63chevyll]

What year is the truck? I'm trying to remember how the dip stick comes up with a ramhorn manifold.

But a stock dip stick should work. Just have to make.sure the old one isn't broke off in there. It's that's the case, take off the manifold and try to get the old peice out.

 

[Stu2z0031]

pissin oil

What year is the truck? I'm trying to remember how the dip stick comes up with a ramhorn manifold.

But a stock dip stick should work. Just have to make.sure the old one isn't broke off in there. It's that's the case, take off the manifold and try to get the old peice out.

The truck itself is an 82 which originally came with a 305 but it was swapped sometime in the past to a 350. i can probably get the block number tomorrow and check.

 

[63chevyll]

Ok, and edit. It's not a RAM horn. I was just looking at it weird. It has 305 manifolds

Not 100% sure, I believe in 82 the dip stick on the pass side, and that's why there is no way to get a good seal on the drivers side dip stick. Apparently the 350 you have is a driver side dipstick block being used with a 305 manifold that don't give room for the dip stick tube.

Well. As far as I know, you have a couple of options

1, put 70s style drivers manifolds on your truck
2. Find any manifold that will clear drivers side dip stick
3. Put headers on it, headers seem to have room no matter what side the dip stick is on

Obviously, each options may require a different exhaust pipe too

 

[Stu2z0031]

Well I do have a set of edelbrock headers for a 350 lying around.
Do you think these will work? And where would I get some bolts to put them on?
An if you read one of my previous threads you'll see that I need an entirely new exhaust setup anyways.

 

[diesel4me]

It is possible the dipstick dilema led to someone adding too much oil--and overfilling the crankcase can lead to blown and leaky seals..

 

[63chevyll]

That's a good point.

Those headers. Hard to tell. At very least need to cap the air fittings, and 02 fitting.

Taking a guess, but if those are 88+ headers, the frame may need a little clearanceing at the collector

 

[Stu2z0031]

What aftermarket headers would you suggest? I'm sure I can unload these fairly quickly and put the money towards some that would fit better.

 

[63chevyll]

Ya know. On the headers there are so many options.

A search on here can tell you more than I could but.
If you want a quality header.

1. Cheaper doesn't mean better
2. Thick flange at head and collector are always better 5/16 or 1/4 good
3. Type of collector and rest of exhaust system needed to be considered.
4. Legal requirements for your area need to be thought through

You can get a ton of $$$ tied up in exhaust, and what you like may not be what I like.

Personally, I tend to over spend and try and think through my exhaust needs so I can have a good sounding, long lasting, and ease or future repair..if that makes sense.
Hope that helps

 

[Stu2z0031]

That definitely helps. I've heard some good reviews about the heddman headers so I think I may look
Into those.
And as for the smog I live in California so I have the smog nazis. Luckily I have a friend who helps me "pass" smog.