Hot Rods oil leak on 383 stroker sbc

I need help. 383 stroker sbc,450hp. Put in new seal and it leaks just like the old one did. I go for a drive, come home and have a spot of oil the size of a soda can. Any suggestions??

 

which seal?

 

Front main seal .

 

did the damper have a groove worn into it?

 

I really don't know. I can live with this for a while but plan to pull it off when the weather gets cooler. I really just want to know what to look for.

 

also check that there are bolts in the front two holes near the water pump, otherwise oil will leak out there. the bolts need to be short, 1/2" long

 

I will check the bolt holes 1st thing in the am. Thanks tb, have a gud nite…..

 

Maybe just try tightening the pan bolts.

Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

there are two different SBC pan seals. Not to mention the LH / RH dipstick thing. Make sure you are using the right ones.

 

and the Chinese chrome front covers and oil pans are not all made very well, some just don't fit.

 

Thanks treb & squirrel for the tips. I am using steel 7qt pan & the right pan gasket. I don't care for the chrome oil pans or front covers. It's hot as hell here today but might check out some issues tonight. a/c in the garage might be my next home project. Thanks to everyone for the advise and if and when I figure this out I will let you guys know. Have a gud 4th and thanks to the HAMB...…………..

 

Put a ford in it

 

Seems like we're missing some info here. Are you the one replacing the seal, or someone else?
You're using a puller for the damper, right? You're looking right down at the damper, as it comes off, right?
You're using the proper tool to pull it back on, yes? Again, looking right at it.. but you didn't notice a groove worn into the damper?
I'm going to suggest, when you change the seal for the third time, you pay close attention to the seal surface on the damper. You're going to have to start there.
Doubtful this is the case here, realistically speaking. It must have an aftermarket counter-weighted damper for the 400 crank. Unless it has beau coup miles on it already, it's probably not your problem.
Good luck

 

How are you set up for crankcase ventilation?

 

On SBC Chrome timing chain covers that hold the seal to the pan lip,that lip that is on cheep chrome cover is only spot welded,not welded all along like GM is. If you fill all the way around that lip with sealer,leak will stop.{with cover off} = leak is really oil running in behind that lip an cover/so go right pass the pan gasket.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the info. I am using a stock front cover & stock cc ventilation. The pcv is on the drivers side and a vent tube on the pass. side going from the carb. air breather to the pass. valve cover. It will cool down temp. wise & I will go to the garage in a while and check some things. Dooley thanks for the engine block photo as that is the 1st thing I will check. Hope that's it as it looks like an easy fix. Thanks again every one for your post and concern...………….. HOT AS HELL IN N.C.

 

if ya put a bolt in that hole make sure that it's a short one.

 

Mark Yak, my friend and I used a puller to remove the damper and we didn't notice a grove in it. It is also counter weighted by the machine shop that balanced every thing else. Pat59 I will definitely use a short bolt. Thanks again guys...……………...

 

Goldmountain my pan bolts were loose, so I tightened them up. Cleaned every thing under the car and see what happens next time I drive it. Dooley Thanks again for the photo of the engine block. That hole has a bolt in it because that is the mounting point for my a/c compressor(I use an electric fuel pump as the mechanical pump hole had been pluged ) and didn't see any oil leak there. How ever this turns out I will let you know. Happy 4th everyone and thanks for your input...………...

 

Did you put a dab of sealant in the keyway of the balancer ? I have seen oil run past the key and look like a front seal leak.

 

Southcrosss2631, am pretty sure we didn't put any sealant on the keyway. If it still leaks after the next drive that is something we will do. We will wait until the hot weather breaks to do that. Thanks for the tip...…….

 

Went for a drive and the leak is almost gone. Just a small spot on the floor. I will go back under the car and put some sealant on front of the oil pan. The pan is a 7qt. pan with the sides kicked out. I had the pan powder coated and also had the inside teflone coated as well. The tefone helps the oil run down the side of the pan to the bottom quicker. This is a very slick coating. Thanks everyone for all the info as its all good food for thought. If the sealant on the pan helps I will be sure to let you know...…………...

 

All my junk is dedicated to racing and if I didn't have a leak somewhere I'd think I forgot to put oil in the damn thing. Mine are disassembled too often to worry about it but I admire your dedication.

 

Thank you afaulk. I know hot rods mark their territory but I hate a dang leak...…………..

 

OK folks, here is the latest on the oil leak. ClayMart, I changed the crank case vent on my valve covers for better breathing. I still have a small leak after a drive of a few mikes. I believe southcross2631 may have a good suggestion of sealant on the key way slot on the balancer. This will be something I will do this winter as I will have to pull the radiator to do this. THANKS EVERYONE for your suggestions. Will keep you posted.....

 

Those china pans and front covers suck...GM parts only for me...glad you narrowed it down to key way...

 

You might try tightening the bolt holding the damper. If the damper is not seated all the way back against the cam gear it makes a keyway leak worse.

 

Thanks topchop40 and sunbeam. I'll check that damper bolt. It would be nice if that's the problem...……..

 

Still have a small oil leak dang it!! I'll be pulling the radiator this Jan. to clean it out at which time will pull the balancer to put sealant in the key way slot and reinstall. I'll let you know how it goes...……...