i noticed a little oil dripping in my driveway
oil is dripping off the bellshousing. i see a trail coming up between the oil pan and the back mounting plate for the motor. looks as if its leaking from the oilpan in the way back. how hard is it to change the gasket? it looks like there is only an inch between the pan and the cross member. how do you drop the pan?

 

gotta pull the cross member

 

 

yup have to remove the crossmember or lift the engine

 

Dan...
Are You SURE its the oilpan and not the rear main seal?.

Also of note....

Have you had the valve covers of recently and may not have the rear one sealed up properly which would lead to a leak down from the top like you describe(been there done that is why I ask).Something else to think about also is now that your running twins the crankcase pressure will be greater inside the motor.If you only have the one vent you may have a pressure issue in the crankscase which will tend to release out of whatever gasket that may be easily compromised(ie-oil pan and/or side cover).You may want to think about adding another vent to the motor to see if the leak stops or slows with the motor breathing easier........Andy

 

thanks alot andy, im going to check out my valve cover. and the oils coming from the back of the pan between the pan and the back plate. if the rear seal was bad wouldnt it be inside the bell housing? and ill look into the vent. nothing really comes out of the tube tho now.

 

My tappet cover gasket is seeping and the leak comes down and drips from this spot. Also it's a good idea to pull the rear pan bolts out one at a time and put some non-hardeneing thread seal on them and torque them back down.

 

what are the torque specs for the bolts? i know all my valve cover gaskets leak. but not this bad. i need new ones tho. ill pull the bolts tho and put some rtv on them or something. its not that big of a leak. but its drippping in my driveway and my dads gunna ring my neck.

 

35 inch pounds IIRC. If the VC gaskets are leaking get them fixed and then wash everything down and check it again. One the bolts I prefer to use non-hardening thread sealer. Permatex makes it. It's in a white tube. I don't like RTV on bolts....it's not meant for that.

 

Dan...
When you studded the head did you have the covers or rocker stands machined to ensure the valve covers fit tightly and evenly?.