Problem: oil appears to be leaking from the bottom of the timing cover.

At first it looked like a small leak from the bottom of the cover, but i took it for a drive today and at higher RPM, the thing leaks like mad. I have heard that there's a bolt hole in the block that this could be leaking from since I removed the smog pump. I can't find this hole...where is it? The fuel pushrod is supposed to be behind it right? Is it closer to the timing cover or the fuel pump?

Anyway, when I did my cam swap i cut the piece on the back of the timing cover to fit without dropping the pan. I plan to re-do the timing cover in addition to finding this "smog pump bolt hole". My question about the cover is: do you guys recommend putting RTV anywhere on the timing cover in addition to a gasket, like on the mating surface of the cover and pan? Maybe between the oil seal and the cover?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

-Matt

 

i had the same problem when i did my cam swap. i could have sworn it was leaking at the bottom and at higher rpm,s my car like covered the one side of my engine compartment with oil. turns out when i sprayed the side of my motor off and watched it leak it was leaking at the top. so clean it off and check to see where its really leaking from. i was mad when i got my cam in and then i was leaking oil

 

On the right front (passenger) side of the case, there are two tapped holes. One is just above teh oil pan flange, and the other is about 2" above that. If there is no bolt in this upper hole, you'll have a serious oil leak from the fuel pump push rod cavity. I like to use an Allen set screw with PST thread sealant as a flush plug for this hole, but you can use any bolt as long as the threads are not more than 5/8" into the hole.

 

I don't have a bolt there.(engine tore down so not leaking). Was that were I removed my smog pump?

 

Ok, cool. I'll be sure to check that, thanks.

But i'm still going to redo the cover regardless and the RTV question hasn't been answered. Anybody?

-Matt

 

A healthy application of RTV sealant at the ends of the lower TC seal (where it meets the oil pan) is always a good idea.

 

Thanks again, Vader.

Time to go do this thing...

-Matt