sbc swap, first start oil gushing from valve cover

[jessedukhia]

I just swapped a 350 sbc into my 1980 monte carlo. I did the first start and it started for about 3 seconds. I shut it off because I noticed oil gushing(splashed right out made puddle under my car) out of my drivers side valve cover. Is this because of crank pressure? How do I fix this so next time i go to start it the oil doesnt gush out?

 

[81Regal]

Was it from the back of the engine on the drivers side? If it was plug the hole that the sending unit screw's into. There is also a port right above the filter that goes to the oil gallery.

 

[MrSony]

Yeah, make sure the oil pressure port is plugged or has a fitting in it for a gauge or sensor so oil doesn't gush everywhere. It's near the dizzy on the back of the engine. There is one by the oil filter too, as mentioned above.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Haven't seen it mentioned yet. What type of valve covers and gaskets are you using? Steel, aluminum....cork or rubber for gaskets?
I know with the billet specialties covers i have, they recommend cork gaskets. I wanted to use rubber and before i knew it i had oil catching fire on my header collector!!! I switched to some felpro cork units and never had a leak afterwards.

 

[Texas82GP]

and before i knew it i had oil catching fire on my header collector!!!

 

[jessedukhia]

thanks most helpful forum ever!!!!!!!! so i found the hole by oil filter not plugged looks like thats where oil came from.

 

[pontiacgp]

what are you using for an oil pressure gauge?

 

[jessedukhia]

im just going to plug it. My modern car doesnt have oil pressure guage

 

[pontiacgp]

im just going to plug it. My modern car doesnt have oil pressure guage

might be a good time to install one to protect the engine you just installed

 

[Opie Knievel]

might be a good time to install one to protect the engine you just installed

This is a very good idea. Oil pressure and water temp gauges are a cheap investment to help prevent costly damage to your recently installed engine.