Oil leak just Started after Rebuild! Help!!

bigtime57 · 08-31-2009

I recently did a total rebuilt my 302 and have ran it for probably a total of 1-1 1/2 hours total in the garage with no leaks or problems. I started it up this weekend and ran for about 15 min and after shutting the car off I noticed oil under the oil pan. I checked the oil pan and it was dry but noticed the oil was coming from my transmission flywheel and dripping off the trans. It is fresh oil and the only thing I can think of is the rear main seal??? What have I done wrong??? Do I need to pull the engine back out and replace the rear main seal or could the oil be coming from somewhere else???? any help would be great.

notchbackfox · 08-31-2009

well it could be the rear main but you should always looks higher check stuff like the back of the valve cover, lower intake etc.

**EagleAutosports** · 08-31-2009

Don't panic, it could be things like the intake needing a retorquing. You ran it through a heat cycle and it's common for bolts to loosen a couple of times till they stop.

bigtime57 · 08-31-2009

My father in law told me the same thing to just not panic all of a sudden but it still drives me nuts to think everything new..checked and rechecked and then this....shew....I need to just calm down and got thru and give everything a good look over before I start taking things apart...I just thought since I had ran the motor before for a longer period of time at one time and it never dropped a drop then I left it set for a few months and started it back up and this happened.

Masshole · 08-31-2009

Those lower manifold bolts will almost always pull back after a few runs....X2 on checking those valve covers again.

spdjnky_42 · 09-01-2009

The heads on a sb ford are notorious for leaking after initia HEAT UP AND COOL DOWN. Just retorque and see what happens.

bigtime57 · 09-01-2009

I started the engine again last night and jacked it up on stands and started it up and its is pouring right down the center of the inspection plate...i checked all my other options and all bolts was tight and to specs...so i guess its time to pull the pan off and replace the main....argggggggggg

bigtime57 · 09-02-2009

I was wondering can a person change the rear main seal but just lifting the motor up and dropping the pan? It is a 73 block so I have the 2 peice main.