Projects Cutting my Hotrod Teeth (57 Chevy Budget build/revival)

Didn’t think I actually needed the baffle but reading up on it, apparently I do. The valve I completely overlooked!

 

There’s your vacuum leak/carb issues.

 

Get that straightened it should perk up

 

Well, technically not the carb, but the intake vacuum port behind it, but yes, that’s how I had done it. Looking back on it, I think I misunderstood that the outlet bolted into the road draft hole was itself the PCV valve, but it’s instead just a port. I’m going to run a proper PCV valve into the base of the carb this time. I robbed the complete system off the 265 which has all good quality USA made parts on it.

 

What it properly looks like…

 

How I’m doing it is slightly different, with the PCV valve in the grommet right at the hole in the block, then a hose ran to a regular hose barb fitting at the base of the carb. I like the idea of having the outlet fitting only, at the block hole, and the PCV valve screwed into the carb, so will hang onto the parts I took off and maybe eventually change it out. Or use it on the 265.

 

That works as well. As well, I got you to clarify exactly how you corrected the system.

 

Alright, I got everything back together and it seems to be running a whole lot smoother. Unfortunately now I have a m***ive oil leak somewhere back by the firewall on the p***. Side. Not sure from where, and I only noticed because hot oil was dripping onto the wet driveway since it rained this morning. No good deed goes unpunished

 

Maddeningly, the leak is coming from either the rear main seal, or the new oil pan gasket I just installed…

 

The rear main was not leaking bad before so start with the simple things. You changed the oil pan gasket. It could have slipped. The pan is awkward and you are working alone while trying to get the bolts started. Relax. You are still learning and have a lifetime to go.

 

Do yourself a HUGE favor and get a one piece pan gasket for it.

 

At the halfway point in replacing the rear main seal. Thankfully nothing broke with more torque on the ratchet. Looks pretty good to me for an engine celebrating its 60th birthday this year, what do you guys think?

 

Note: there is a thin and a thick. Early engines require the thin.

 

It’s getting replaced this time either way! Turns out it was not installed at an offset, which isn’t ideal, so I’ll put it back together the “right” way…

 

Yeah I was gonna say I don’t think one piece seals are really available for this era of small blocks from what I could find. That goes for main seals and oil pan seals!

 

There are. A buddy did the mix up. Both available.

 

Good to know. Will see if I can procure one from a local shop parts store today.

 

There are rear main seal does and don’t. Like off setting gap and lite sealant across the cap. Do a YouTube dive on it.

 

I did have it off to put the oil separator in a few days ago. I don’t think that’s the cause though because I felt along the back of the intake and it was dry and not oily

 

It’s what annoyance/getting repeatedly pissed off about the same thing does to a man

I WILL fix this oil leak damnit!

 

I had originally bought a standard 4 piece but the local O’R has it in stock so I’ll do it the Johnny Gee way!

 

Hoping to have the car back together to go see JAWS at the drive-in tonight, so that’s another motivator

 

Never used one. But ideal when gravity is against you. I hate doing pans in the car.

 

All back together and guess what… STILL slinging oil everywhere! Now I’m at a loss. It’s not exactly easy to get under the car while it’s running and slinging hot oil everywhere to see where it’s actually coming from.

 

How would I tell if it’s a transmission leak instead of an oil leak? It looks like motor oil to me, but how can I be sure? I don’t know what else could possibly be leaking at this point on the engine side of the flywheel, but the flywheel is slinging oil when it runs

 

I hope that you have a torque wrench to replace the rear main cap. As far as your continuing leak. ???????? Try and get some help to replace it next time or a stud and nut kit instead of the bolts.