Oil leak :smh:

[jmt455]

I know you are looking for help with the oil leak, but I see something in the first photo that you might also want to fix.

The cross-shaft that comes from the transmission shift lever to the pivot bracket on the frame is missing a spring, plastic bushing and washer. The plastic bushing sits in the "cup" area on the frame bracket.

If you have a column shifter, it's probably feeling pretty sloppy with those parts missing.

I bought a replacement kit from Inline Tube. You can get them from a variety of suppliers.

 

[Mathematic]

Yep, Chevy's may do the same...I really dnt know, I only know that the olds engines tend to do this alot..but olds are great engines, just keep the oil topped off.

What weight of oil are u using now, probably 10w30 or something?

when i change the oil, i put 15w40 chevron in mine..it's pretty thick and is pretty good stuff...i can tell a big difference of leakage just from 1ow40 to 15w40.

depending on your climate, you may even be able to get away with 20w50, i could if i wanted to in the summer

actually, it still has "break in" oil in it with some sort of additive, I think. this is really the only time i've driven it for long of a distance. I haven't changed the oil yet because the rebuild is so fresh...I Dont know if its 10w or 5w..i'll find out when i take the car back to the rebuilder tomorrow..hopefully, we can figure this out. but i will def take your advice and start using thicker oil if we cant fix the problem. I really appreciate the feedback..

 

[Mathematic]

I know you are looking for help with the oil leak, but I see something in the first photo that you might also want to fix.

The cross-shaft that comes from the transmission shift lever to the pivot bracket on the frame is missing a spring, plastic bushing and washer. The plastic bushing sits in the "cup" area on the frame bracket.

If you have a column shifter, it's probably feeling pretty sloppy with those parts missing.

I bought a replacement kit from Inline Tube. You can get them from a variety of suppliers.

thank you...for the info. I was hoping someone would chim in on that photo.

I actually have a floor shifter and sometimes the ignition gets stuck and i have to twist the back of the steering wheel to get it released.

do you have a pic of it intact?

 

[Evan11]

no problem, 5w30 and 10w30 is too thin of an oil for these old engines anyway..IMO

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Look, or feel, around the rear intake gasket. My dad has had numerous issues with his 455 in that area. He ran synthetic oil and could never keep a rear intake gasket in it. He went back to standard 10w40 and the problems have slowed. When I tore down my 425 I noticed a HUGE clump of 30 year old motor oil and dirt in the back of the intake and around where the dist is mounted. Im starting to think this is a bigger issue amongst Olds engines than I thought 🙁

 

[Mathematic]

no problem, 5w30 and 10w30 is too thin of an oil for these old engines anyway..IMO

interesting...now you got me thinking. I wonder if this is the reason why my oil pressure keeps dropping from 50psi t0 20psi when the engine gets to operating temp..

 

[Peter]

no problem, 5w30 and 10w30 is too thin of an oil for these old engines anyway..IMO

interesting...now you got me thinking. I wonder if this is the reason why my oil pressure keeps dropping from 50psi t0 20psi when the engine gets to operating temp..

thats normal

 

[Mathematic]

Look, or feel, around the rear intake gasket. My dad has had numerous issues with his 455 in that area. He ran synthetic oil and could never keep a rear intake gasket in it. He went back to standard 10w40 and the problems have slowed. When I tore down my 425 I noticed a HUGE clump of 30 year old motor oil and dirt in the back of the intake and around where the dist is mounted. Im starting to think this is a bigger issue amongst Olds engines than I thought 🙁

damn, it sounds like theres nothing we, olds owners, can do...kinda hard to hear this. if i would have known this i wouldnt have invested so much money into this rebuild..sucks man.

 

[Mathematic]

no problem, 5w30 and 10w30 is too thin of an oil for these old engines anyway..IMO

interesting...now you got me thinking. I wonder if this is the reason why my oil pressure keeps dropping from 50psi t0 20psi when the engine gets to operating temp..

thats normal

really? thanks, thats one less problem i have to worry about then...

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Look, or feel, around the rear intake gasket. My dad has had numerous issues with his 455 in that area. He ran synthetic oil and could never keep a rear intake gasket in it. He went back to standard 10w40 and the problems have slowed. When I tore down my 425 I noticed a HUGE clump of 30 year old motor oil and dirt in the back of the intake and around where the dist is mounted. Im starting to think this is a bigger issue amongst Olds engines than I thought 🙁

damn, it sounds like theres nothing we, olds owners, can do...kinda hard to hear this. if i would have known this i wouldnt have invested so much money into this rebuild..sucks man.

Im not saying theres nothing you can do im just saying from my personal experiences I have seen it alot. Im sure theres guys on here that havent had an issue. I would shoot guys like Blake442 or FE3X Clone a PM and ask them. There pretty knowledgable and have Olds engines of their own.