Oil leaks/timing

[1969 Project]

Hey Guys. I have had an oil leak in my truck ever since I have purchased it. I took it to a shop today and he stated it is leaking pretty much everywhere possible, rear main, oil pan gasket, timing chain cover Etc. He stated that these older engines in the classics cars are pretty much always going to have some type of leak especially with the two piece seals. Is that true? He stated the leaks are not bad and to just keep an eye on the oil level. My truck is hardly driven but I don't really care for the oil spots in my garage. Any advise on what I should or can do? The guy I bought the truck from stated the guy he got it from had the engine rebuilt and stroked out to 383 about 30k miles ago and it definetly has a mild cam as well. I have also noticed that it has a rough idle but drives great at cruising speeds, could adjusting the timing help with this?

[geezer#99]

Do you have a working pcv system?
I've never had a motor I couldn't make leak free.

Your rough idle can be cured a bit by more initial timing and a fine tune of the mix screws.
What's your timing like?

[1969 Project]

To be honest I am totally clueless as far as the timing goes. How could I check? If anyone is close to the area I would definitely pay someone to help and teach me with this issue. I called a local shop and he stated depending on whats going on with the engine it could be pretty pricey to get it timed. Like I said it runs perfect just has a rough idle, start on a dime as well. I was thinking the same thing as far as the oil leaks. It was a shop that didn't specialize in older cars so I am sure he just didn't want to deal with it.

[cadillac_al]

I'll bet a set of valve cover gaskets will cure 90% of the leaks. I have 3 leaky Chevys here that had new cheap VC gaskets a few years ago and they all failed. I'm trying Fel Pro rubber ones and Mr Gasket Ultra Seal this time

[1969 Project]

Where can I get those gaskets and seal?

[GSP7]

I'll bet a set of valve cover gaskets will cure 90% of the leaks

Sound about right.

Hose the engine off. Watch for where its leaking stsrts from. See if the valve cover bolts are snug

[GSP7]

Originally Posted by 1969 Project

Where can I get those gaskets and seal?

any auto parts store

[1969 Project]

I checked the valve cover gasket bolts and sure enough they were a little loose, I snugged them down. I did also notice the oil pan gasket is leaking, engine has to come up in order for me to change that correct? Not sure if I should just take it to someone to have them do that. I've actually heard a lot of shops don't really care to touch the two piece gaskets as they say they eventually will start to leak.

[GSP7]

I've actually heard a lot of shops don't really care to touch the two piece gaskets as they say they eventually will start to leak.

You mean the chevy rear crank seal?

No, 2 piece rear seals dont eventually start to leak. Ive never had one leak

[geezer#99]

And did you check your pcv system?
Take a pic of your motor for us.
We might see something amiss.

[1969 Project]

Here you go, thx for the help

[geezer#99]

Nice pic but it would be nice if you took the air cleaner off and took another pic.

[GSP7]

I dont see a positive crankcase vent valve. The PCV valve should be pluged in to the valve cover on a '69 where on of those breather caps are.



Here is the older block location. 67 and older I think

[storm9c1]

Right, without proper PCV, the oil leaks will be worse. As already suggested, let's see another pic with the air cleaner off.

[GSP7]

Like geezer said pull the air cleaner off. Take pictures over head shots of front and back of motor like pics I posted

[1969 Project]

My bad, is this better?

[1969 Project]

Sorry, the upload didn't complete on the previous reply. Looks like the PCV is set up with the brake booster.

[geezer#99]

Don't see any pcv hooked to your booster line!
Pcv should be on one of the breathers on the valve covers. Usually on drivers side.

If you don't like engine fires you better change out those rubber fuel lines on the carb.

[storm9c1]

Yep, brake booster just needs a vacuum source. It has nothing to do with PCV and in fact shouldn't share the same hose as it either.

You should leave ONE of the breather caps in place. But replace the other with a PCV valve and a hose that goes to a vacuum source. Do you have any large vacuum nipples plugged on the manifold or carb? Not the small ports like you use for the distributor or transmission. This would be a larger one (5/16" or 3/8", etc). Most carbs have one at the base. You could use a tree off the manifold.

[storm9c1]

Same thing posted twice -- delete.

[GSP7]

Get fuel line


or
http://www.jegs.com/p/Holley/Holley-...49203/10002/-1

I don't see a Positive crankcase ventilation valve either.

Your are building pressure in your motor case and blowing oil out
You need PCV valve. A sealed pvc valve with a rubber grommet in the valve cover in place of one of those caps

Also, get a good AC pcv valve. Not chinese generic brand auto zone pcv valve. Ive seen the store brand type PCVs that arent made right and dont flow properly under vacume, like they plug up

[1969 Project]

Thanks guys! So what exactly needs to be done for me to run a PCV, do I need new valve cover gaskets or can I just run it from the existing breather port?

[1969 Project]

Never mind I just re read your reply. So where do I hook up the other end from the valve cover gasket? Looks this is a DFT carb, not exactly sure what fuel lines I need for this.

[1969 Project]

The only two ports that I see that are capped off on the carb are these two. The only one I see on the manifold is going to the brake booster.

[TJ's Chevy]

You'll want to use the big port on the back of the carb for your pcv system. You can get a breather with a pcv built in.