Mysterious SBC Oil leak

Mysterious SBC Oil leak

Author
Discussion

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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I'm fortunate in so much as I have a pitt in my current garage (that I've used every week since I bought the car!). It makes doing the sump so much easier. I've already done the job once (the sump pan seal was gone), so the most inconvenient part is having to jack the block off the chassis to get clearance for the pan to clear the chassis.......

I've seen the one piece seals but have been advised away from them by both the pan manufacturer (stefs) and the engine builder.

All in all Just one of those jobs that isn't fun - tea in an almost endless supply smile

Racing Roj

488 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Steve
I've got that picture of you under the car. I'm impressed with your perseverance in getting the car how you want it. I'm just going out for a blast, the weathers great up here.
All the best
Roj

Racing Roj

488 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Sorry Nigel still recovering mate.

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Roj - go back to work before the oldtimers desease takes full effect smile))))

Racing Roj

488 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Is it that obvious? Just scared myself silly again.

V8Dom

3,546 posts

201 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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hahaha you be careful mate

it is nice but ambiant temp too cold to get any heat into the tyres and it will spin everywhere..

if you are going on Sunday on the scd run be very very careful.

mines tucked away now until end of march as no fun in this weather unless you are good with bodywork

Dom

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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V8Dom said:
hahaha you be careful mate

it is nice but ambiant temp too cold to get any heat into the tyres and it will spin everywhere..

if you are going on Sunday on the scd run be very very careful.

mines tucked away now until end of march as no fun in this weather unless you are good with bodywork

Dom
And it takes a long time for all the salt to be washed off the roads.

An hour's fun can lead to many hours spent having no fun at all!!!!!


Paul



Racing Roj

488 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Dom
Point taken it was slippery but controllable if you don't get too heavy on the loud pedal. Probably won't go Sunday as it will still be very damp if not wet early on.

Racing Roj

488 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Dom
Point taken it was slippery but controllable if you don't get too heavy on the loud pedal. Probably won't go Sunday as it will still be very damp if not wet early on.

738 driver

1,202 posts

192 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
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Be sure to check the diameter of seal housing too .

Some remanufactured blocks and most aftermarket (dart in particular) have an oversize OD seal bore and the appropriate seal should be fitted ... A std seal can be fitted but has to be bonded in and usually fails prematurely .... Better to get the correct one .

G luck ..

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Will do and thanks. The block is a GM aluminium 'performance' unit - so I'd like to think that the dimensions should be on spec !

The engine builder should be back to work today so I can his advise on which seal I should be using..... Coincides nicely with the fact that the sump is off - just needs extracting from the chassis.

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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So patience being a virtue - having left the sump for about a week to drain - the removal was (fairly) straightforward, especially as I've had a fair bit of practice. Absolutely ZERO evidence that the sump gasket was leaking (which is reassuring as I only did that a couple of months ago frown ) BUT the flywheel is suspiciously dry........

I talked with the (ever helpful) Tim at Peter Knight Racing and ordered the rear main seal (Fel-Pro 2909), once he confirmed what it was. So the only issue that I have is the last two torx bolt holding the end cap on - any ideas? It's slightly larger than a T50..... I had no idea that imperial TORX existed.


Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Don't think they do exist in imperial (I could be wrong though).

Is it a T55?


Paul

confusionhunter

448 posts

221 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Praise be to the Pit! Jealous!smokin

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Oh man - were it not for my pit with this car I'd have been driven mad a long time ago!

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Monday 5th January 2015
quotequote all
Storer said:
Don't think they do exist in imperial (I could be wrong though).

Is it a T55?


Paul
Defo NOT T55 frown

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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There are 2 types of Torx bits....Torx and Torx-Plus so that may be the difference.

It may also be a Tripple-Square which is more like a spline.

Steve

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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So Pete (the engine builder) is going to send me a fitting that should do the business. He did also suggest another source for the oil leaks - it could be coming from the oil inspection galleries. Behind the gearbox adaptor....... Either way, the main seal would be the correct 1st fix and we'll see how we go from here on in.

Fingers crossed!

MarkWebb

983 posts

216 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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hmm, as I said on 1st Jan