Howdy. I have a 1962 Cadillac Sedan Deville with a 390 and Hydramatic behind it. I've been focused on making it reliable and safe over the last few months and am now trying to finish up by taking care of the leaks as best as possible. To that end, I fixed a leaking rear diff (pinion seal) and a transmission leak (speedo seal). I've still got some engine oil leaks though -- some from the front engine area and some from the back engine area. Fronts are due mainly to valve cover gaskets although I also see some oil residue up and down the oil filler neck. I changed the valve cover gaskets and maybe I think I slowed that down some. I don't think I have high crankcase pressure since there's no blow-by when the engine runs and there is a new PCV valve I put in but I'll keep an eye on it. Which brings me to the rear engine leak. There was a good amount of oil in the flat zone on which the oil pressure sender and distributor are seated. So I replaced the sender and fully seated that. I cleaned the area very well and took a look while the engine was running and I could see some oil bubbling up & through the distributor mating area to the block. I did take off the distributor some months ago when I went through the ignition system. I replaced the o-ring after I saw that the existing one was hard and flat. It seems like that isn't enough to keep the oil from pushing through. Any recommendations? I've ordered a new o-ring and a flat circle gasket from a 62 Impala distributor just in case but otherwise am just planning on taking off the distributor, adding gasket sealant to the o-ring itself and to the bottom of the mating surface and tightening up the hold down bolt a good bit.
I used a regular flat circle gasket out of my gasket pile with no issue. When you adjust the distributor, make sure it is loose enough that you are not dragging the gasket with it. Nice looking Cad you have there. Good luck and welcome to the HAMB. -Abone.
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