Break-in update...

[beanhead]

Good news first. I got things assessed and determined that the oil pressure gauge hose was definitely the cause of the fire. I will replace the engine and light harnesses, but the outer wrap was all that was destroyed in a few spots. After careful examination none of the wires had insulation damage. I changed out the starter relay and the positive cable will need replacing, but all was okeedokee enough for a cam run-in. Started right up, no issues...temps were good, water never got over 186 and header temps at the ports were all between 400-500 once it was heated up, no red-hots..sounded good, smelled good, and then....

Now, we had looked underneath periodically to make sure all was good (which it was) but towards the end of the break in time my bro yelled out "OIL!" and I saw this:

Definitely positively coming from inside the bellhousing. Beautiful, gold, 15-50..

As I moved to shut down I shot a quick vid of the pressure gauge (Hard piped to the engine this time you will notice)


So....I got 25-30 minutes of run-in time on the cam & lifters so I'm callin' that good.
I will not, go through the drama of replacing the rear main from under the car when I can't confirm that's the problem. Blew low pressure air in and got some oil but just can't be positive where it's coming from...Cam freeze plug, galley plugs, or (ick) rear main seal....so out she comes.
If it's the seal the builder's gonna re-do it. I'll fix plugs to save myself the hassle of transporting it but oh boy he's gonna hear about it either way!

 

[Kern Dog]

There are 2 oil gallery pipe plugs at the back, sometimes a coat of thread sealer, Gaskacinch or The Right Stuff can seal it up.

 

[oldbee]

See? It’s always something! Least break-in is handled.

 

[ddpsnake]

There are 2 oil gallery pipe plugs at the back, sometimes a coat of thread sealer, Gaskacinch or The Right Stuff can seal it up.

if thats the case hes going to have to pull the tranny to seal that up,total bummer i feel for him.

 

[beanhead]

There are 2 oil gallery pipe plugs at the back, sometimes a coat of thread sealer, Gaskacinch or The Right Stuff can seal it up.

I'm hoping that's the problem, the quick flow of oil would seem to point to plugs..the pressure was okay though. It dropped maybe a couple of psi but that could be changes in rpm or temp so who knows. I'll find out once I get the engine out..

 

[beanhead]

if thats the case hes going to have to pull the tranny to seal that up,total bummer i feel for him.

Thanks. I'm gonna just pull the engine though, not the trans...gives me the opportunity to clean the soot off the side of the block and fenderwell where I had the fire before. And if it turns out it's the seal, it's going back to the shop anyways..

 

[steve340]

I had the same thing but not so much oil. Just a little weep but no damn good.
Rebuilt the engine all run in good. Went around the block and damn a leak from the sump.
So engine back out to address that.

 

[dadsbee]

Don't jump toooo quick.. if you saw my resto thread you'd see that I thought I had a rear seal or front trans seal leak, when it's indeed the back of the drivers side rocker leaking and working it's way down, back and down and dripping off the bell housing.

 

[Kern Dog]

Tracing oil leaks is a pisser.

 

[steve340]

Having the oil leak in the first place qualifies as ****.
Let alone trying to find it and fix it.
I only have myself to blame I didn't pay someone else to screw it up.

 

[1962polara]

I'd say that breakin worked out well

 

[bearman]

make sure your oil pressure sending units isn't leaking. ask me how i know after pulling the engine

 

[Mjcre]

make sure your oil pressure sending units isn't leaking. ask me how i know after pulling the engine

Had my motor in for about a year and noticed a light leak coming down around the transmission case. Thought it was rear main and just ended up being oil pressure sending unit.

 

[beanhead]

Thanks guys...oh trust me I wish it was a valve cover or sender port. But, everywhere outside is dry. Lots of oil inside the bellhousing. At this point I just want it to be one of the galley plugs.

 

[beanhead]

Ok...as feared it's the rear main. Got the engine out last night and was able to confirm, oil came out from around the bottom side of the crankshaft. I'll be talking to the shop tomorrow to determine the next step..thanks for the input everyone! Nice to have a place to vent, right?

 

[ddpsnake]

good luck buddy.to bad all the work install,break in. dam .

 

[WP29440SE]

so why not pull the pan, (I'm guessing you did) , pull the main seal, and be done? I have successfully pushed out the engine side half out and replaced without taking the crank out, which is probably what they are going to do anyway.

 

[beanhead]

so why not pull the pan, (I'm guessing you did) , pull the main seal, and be done? I have successfully pushed out the engine side half out and replaced without talking the crank out, which is probably what they are going to do anyway.

If I had installed it, I'd be out there working on it right now...but since I paid the coin to have it done I want to consult with the builder first. At the very least I'm sure he will provide me with a new seal kit should I want to fix it myself.

 

[eldubb440]

you running a pvc and breather?

 

[beanhead]

you running a pvc and breather?

Yep!