Hey all.

So I just got my 91 Firebird put back together and she starts and runs quite nicely.

Now, I have another issue. When I first saw it, I didn't think it was that bad, however, I took a second look and there is oil dripping (maybe 1 drip every 2 seconds) from where the bell housing meets the block.

A friend of mine said the rear main seal is toast. I'm half inclined to believe him due to his experience as a mechanic, however, that doesn't mean that I can't get the forums advice.

Anyone here agree, or do I have a totally different issue? If it's the rear main, how much of the PITA am I going to have replacing this?

Thanks in advance.

 

2 spots that could be leaking back there:

1. rear of intake, really common leak point especially if a gasket was used on the china wall instead of rtv
2. rear main seal.

start from the top of the engine; if you can feel oil from up there, its the rear of the intake. if you can only feel it underneath the bellhousing, its the rear main

 

Another spot to check while you are looking is the port in the top rear of the block. I'm not sure if you application merely has a plug, or is used for an oil pressure sender, but regardless they like to leak from there as well.

 

if it's the rear main, before you drop the tranny to get to it, try a bottle of white shepherd rear main sealer. It's $13 at Amazon and worth the try. No, it's not sludge that causes future problems.

 

I didn't notice anything there. The oil pressure sender is right above and just behind the oil filter. I know because the one my engine came with was physically broken and I had to replace it.

I'll check that area you are talking about, though.

Also, torque_is_good: While I very much appreciate the advice, I have no problem tearing the tranny off. It takes me all of 45 minutes.

Well, this weekend is supposed to rain worse than Niagara Falls, but I'll be out there, under a tarp, fixing this (among other things) just because I'm insane. As long it's not below freezing, life will be good.

 

i have the same problem just payed bout 200 for the rear main seal to be replaced and it seems it leaks worse now lol. how much wuld it usually cost for a intake gasket replacment i dont have the time to do it myself ive heard it culd cost only 200 then aall the way up to 500 so i neeed about an guess on time involved so when i take it to the shop i kno they wont try to screw me

 

Intake gasket was a piece of cake, actually. I may have used an insufficient amount of RTV on the rear seal of the intake manifold, however. It would be very awesome if this is the case. It would turn a 3 hour job into a 30 minute job.

 

The port I'm referring to is on the top ridge of the block directly behind the IM. It's a 1/8 NPT pitch. In the older (Pre 88 I THINK) it was used for the oil pressure sending unit for the gauge. In your year it should have a plug due to the gauge and ECU signal coming from the sender you replaced.

 

I see. I'll look back there this weekend when I have some time. By the time I get home from work, it's too dark out and I'm too pooped to do anything car related.