Hi folks,

As I continue to fix my new engine's oil leaks, I fix one and another pops out. I thought the Mopar black sealant had done the trick, but this time another strange leak is occurring.

In the headgasket area between where the head meets the block oil is appearing in such small amounts it could be called sweating. The oil lies on the tiny ledge left between the head and the top of the block, over the plugs, along the entire length of the block from plug 1 to 6.

Is this an indication it is re-torque time or what ???? I used a felpro composition gasket at the machine shop when the engine was put back together after rebuilding, about 50 miles ago. THe continuing oil leaking has kept me from much driving since July, but I have spent a lot of time finding and fixing leaks.

Torque, not torque, any ideas on this strange leak?
thank
rock
'64d100

rock, the only "hocus-pocus" explanation I can think of would be a pathologically porous cast that would allow oil to go out in small amounts... that'd be a bummer... how many miles does the engine has now? I'm asking to see if there's a chance of rings aint sealing properly due to lack of break in... this was a hydro motor, wasn't it?

_________________
Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

If it is on the plugs? Valve cover gasket. Plugged breather or PCV.

I use 3M "Gorilla Snot" weather strip adhesive on the valve cover side. Clean wheel bearing grease on the side that goes to the head. (old VW air cooled trick) Just a thin layer. I use the cork gaskets.

I have used the black rubber type once. Not a whole lot of success with the chrome cover.

_________________
'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

I've got the same problem on my 73 Swinger. I didn't have it when the original steel gasket was in there. I have talked to a few old timer, and they've said that those composition gaskets ain't worth having. They claim that the outside edge of the gasket is too narrow and it actually does weep oil through the gasket material. Personally I plan on going back to steel when I get the head milled, I can always use a little more compression.

Yes, this does occur with the composition type gaskets but it is usually such a small amount of oil "sweat" that people don't worry about it. The problem is more pronounced with the special "copper clad" composite Aluminum Block SL6 head gasket.

I have forced sealer into and along the inner edge of the thin section of head gasket that runs along the lifter rail. Once the gasket is installed and "first pass" torqued, I wipe my finger along this seam to "knock down" (smear-in) any sealer that has squeezed-out. (Spark plug tube type heads only, "peanut plug" heads have no access)
Finish the torque and done. This keeps hot oil from migrating thru the gasket material.
DD

Years ago Cox Bros told me good luck finding a steel gasket. They haven't been made in a long time.

_________________
'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

If you look in the Slanted Network forum you'll find a post there I put in about a source for steel gaskets. I got one last fall.

_________________
Arizona Duster in Canada

I don't believe mine is leaking. Felpro. I torqued it in 4 stages.

_________________
'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick