OK, so here is tonight's update.
I still have the exact same type and characteristic of a leak coming from the front of the engine near the bottom of the timing chain cover. Nothing from the rear.
Now let's assume I am a complete bumbling idiot who can't seal and install an oil pan to save my life (ok,
@eldubb440 no wisecracks here...). I have now done this THREE times with the EXACT SAME volume and location for the oil leak. I think the odds are essentially zero that I could screw up three times and keep the leak acting the exact same way. At this point I am convinced it must be the timing chain cover. There is oil wetness at the seam and just above it. But about an inch or so up the timing chain cover it is dry as a bone. I have extensively checked the engine above this and can't see any other potential source for this oil.
Here is my plan: Tonight I will clean and smear the $**t out of that area to try and seal it in RTV. Then tomorrow I will drive the car and test it again. I give this maybe a 10% chance of success. If it works, at least well enough to significantly slow the leak down, I will leave it that way for the Power Tour. If it doesn't work, then I will start digging down and pulling off the front of the engine to get to the timing chain cover. I will pull it off, checking front seal before I do to see if there is evidence of that or if it is coming from the corners. Then I will smear it up and throw it all back together. If THAT fails, I guess I'm in my backup car, the "RoadKill Runner".
Some responses to my esteemed colleagues:
If you've got a 2 post lift you can jack up one side of the whole car and tip it pretty good.
True, but now it is easier and more fun to simply drive it for 15 minutes.
I have to say this..... It ain't a MOPAR if it don't LEAK !!
Hawk seems to love the drama of wrenching in the 11th hour...... he has a history
But hey - putting ridiculous timelines on myself help me get **** done!
Let's not forget, here is where the trouble began:
What a terrible thing to say... now the poor thing just sits in the corner like a bad child.
Actually Don, my 383 is not in the corner like a bad child - it is being protected like the precious, irreplaceable engine that it is
@HawkRod don't worry about the leak. Just come find me and we can leak all over the highway, parking lots and everywhere in between. My rear main leak has been driving me crazy and I still haven't resolved it. It just decided "F" it for the Tour. I'm going to ride it all summer, fill up with some oil when I need to, and pull the motor and try to properly address it this winter. Frankly, the burnt oil on your exhaust may not have actually been that much, it just looks that way. Did you check the oil level to see if you had even lost any noticeable amount of oil volume after your long cruise?
I hear you, but this is enough that it would make a total mess of my car. I lost 1/3 to 1/2 a quart in 300 miles. So going 2000+ miles, especially with most of it on the highway, would mean a minimum of two quarts would blow all over the undercarriage and burn off headers and exhaust. It would pretty well trash the bottom of the car and make a total mess of the engine. I'm gonna try first to address it if I can.
You can always make a diaper tray mounted to the 2 lower converter cover bolts and or the clutch cover bolts.Made mine out of aluminum sheeting.
Install a female maxie pad that will have a slight crush when you tighten the bolts.Them things hold allot of drippings.
Put them on my cars/truck and replace during oil changes.Been doing it for years.No joke.
Also helps for rear pan leaks. Anything front of that sorry, can't help.
Unfortunately, my leak seems to be from the front. I like the idea, and if I still have some kind of leak after I try to fix it, I may try some kind of thing like that. The other backup plan is to take my "RoadKill" 73 Road Runner.
