Strange oil leak

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jcannon44
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Strange oil leak

Post by jcannon44 »

I have developed a small leak on the lip of the top shroud between the distributor and the pulley. It doesn’t seem to be coming from the oil pressure switch or the fuel pump. I’m at a loss to figure this one out. All fitting to the fuel pump are dry. The tightning nut for the tension pulley is wet, how could oil or gas be coming from there? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
ImageImageImage


Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
Last edited by jcannon44 on Tue Dec 05, 2017 7:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jeff Cannon, Smithfield VA
1966 Corvair Monza Convertible
Jerry Whitt
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by Jerry Whitt »

Under the shroud are some possibilities. There is a bearing in the top cover, holding the fan. Around the top cover about a dozen bolts that hold the cover to the top of the block assembly. If there were a leak around the gasket between the top cover and the block, the air pressure from the fan could cause the oil leak noted.
Jerry Whitt
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65 Monza, purchased new
65 Corsa convertible
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jcannon44
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by jcannon44 »

Jerry Whitt wrote:Under the shroud are some possibilities. There is a bearing in the top cover, holding the fan. Around the top cover about a dozen bolts that hold the cover to the top of the block assembly. If there were a leak around the gasket between the top cover and the block, the air pressure from the fan could cause the oil leak noted.
Wouldn’t that cause a leak under car as well? I’m totally dry under car.


Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
Jeff Cannon, Smithfield VA
1966 Corvair Monza Convertible
Jerry Whitt
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by Jerry Whitt »

Not if gasket is only seeping.
Jerry Whitt
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65 Corsa convertible
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terribleted
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by terribleted »

most likely engine top cover or oil filter adapter leak.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
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Located in Snellville, Georgia
64powerglide
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by 64powerglide »

Check the oil pressure sending unit too. Also the distributor O-Ring might be leaking. I'm having a heater oil smoke smell myself & thought it was the PCV tube coming out of the side of the crankcase cover but when I pulled the fan shroud all the cover bolts were loose & it's leaking enough oil to get 4 cylinders wet. I ordered a new PCV tube O-Ring but the old one is dry. Hope I can get the oil cleaned off the cylinders. It was 60 degrees Monday but dropped to the low 30's today with snow coming Wednesday, might have to fire up the kerosene heater to finish the job.
64Powerglide, Jeff Phillips

Kalamazoo, Mi..
Jerry Whitt
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by Jerry Whitt »

My parts books and tech manuals do not show a distributor O ring.
Jerry Whitt
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terribleted
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by terribleted »

Jerry Whitt wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 10:23 pm My parts books and tech manuals do not show a distributor O ring.
Correct, the distributor uses a gasket not an o-ring. That leak would be a little low to get on the engine number area anyway (unless blowing there).
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/

Located in Snellville, Georgia
gnrand
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by gnrand »

Auto supply stores sell a dye that can be added to the oil and with a UV light you can trace an oil leak. They sell the whole kit (dye, light, tinted glasses) for under $20.
Jeff
1965 140 Corsa
1968 140 Monza convertible 4 speed
1965 Corsa Convertible
1966 Crown V8 383 435hp
1986 Buick GN V6 600hp
64powerglide
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by 64powerglide »

Well crap, I meant to say the fuel pump O-Ring not the dist.!!! :banghead:
64Powerglide, Jeff Phillips

Kalamazoo, Mi..
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jcannon44
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Re: Strange oil leak

Post by jcannon44 »

Great suggestion, looks like adapter gasket at this point.


Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
Jeff Cannon, Smithfield VA
1966 Corvair Monza Convertible
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jcannon44
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Strange oil leak

Post by jcannon44 »

jcannon44 wrote:Great suggestion, looks like adapter gasket at this point.


Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
I have removed the oil filter adapter and top shroud. Looks like it was the adapter seal that was leaking! Anything else you think i should do while i have the top off?

Image

Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
Jeff Cannon, Smithfield VA
1966 Corvair Monza Convertible
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jcannon44
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Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:43 am

Re: Strange oil leak

Post by jcannon44 »

jcannon44 wrote:
jcannon44 wrote:Great suggestion, looks like adapter gasket at this point.


Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
I have removed the oil filter adapter and top shroud. Looks like it was the adapter seal that was leaking! Anything else you think i should do while i have the top off?

Image

Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
Found a small crack in the fan housing, is this serious? Please let me know what you think! See attached photo.
Image


Jeff Cannon, Smithfield, VA
1966 Corvair Monza Conv.
Jeff Cannon, Smithfield VA
1966 Corvair Monza Convertible
PaulR
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Location: Appleton, WI

Re: Strange oil leak

Post by PaulR »

Strange no one has mentioned this, but to me the rubber hose going into the fuel pump from the main fuel line is a bit unsettling. Please replace it with the continuous all steel original type line. If the fan belt goes off the pulleys or breaks at a high speed, it could rupture that rubber line, sending fuel all over a hot engine.
1964 Monza convertible 110/PG
64powerglide
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Location: Kalamazoo Mi..

Re: Strange oil leak

Post by 64powerglide »

I saw it but figured being the inlet line the fuel pump couldn't pump anymore fuel so gasoline spill would be minimal but still a fire hazard.
64Powerglide, Jeff Phillips

Kalamazoo, Mi..
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