Was under the car checking mounts and tranny bpolts etc just trying to look for obvious things that might be causing this clutch chatter (new clutch kit recently but chatter came back after a while). I notice some oil at the bottom of the of the bellhousing where the inspection plate goes on. I took off the plate and can hardly see anything but it definitely looks like oil, not ATF. It appears that the back of the oil pan may be the culprit or possibly the rear main seal but I doubt it since the flywheel up there was dry and it was dry when I did the clutch a couple thousand miles ago.

So, my question is....is it possible for oil from the engine to get on the clutch, could that be the chatter problem??? I just don't understand how oil could get around the flywheel and onto the clutch The back of the flywheel seemed dry too. Is it possible? The joint between the tranny and bellhousing was dry and the level was up so I am fairly confident the tranny is not leaking from the front.

really baffled.

 

sure it could happen, just about anything could happen under the right conditions. i doubt oil on the flywheel is your problem. did you grind the flywheel? that would be where i looked first.

 

yup, flywheel was machined, that's why I am puzzled. Also new clutch, PP, TOB, pilot bushing. It ws great for a monthafter the change before the chatter came back.

How would the oil get over there though, around the flywheel?

 

Check your distributor O-ring. One way to check to see if your distributor is leaking is just reach your hand back there and feel for oil around the distributor shaft, if there is oil thier its your o-ring. I once replaced my rear main seal just to find out it was distributor .

The O-ring is like $1 at any parts store.

 

Intake end seal may also be the culprit. This is a common problem on Chevy V8's. The common fix is to replace the intake gaskets, but instead of using the rubber end seals use a thick bead of black RTV. Once it sets up, RTV won't slide out from between the block and intake like a rubber seal can. It also helps to dimple the block/intake end seal surfaces with a hammer and punch before you put it all together.

 

ok, finally remembered to take a peek. Man is it a pain in the *** trying to look down in there! Too tight. Checked back around the distributor / rear of intake area. It was a little moist but it was not real wet looking like fresh oil leaking. And it is hard to say because when I had the oil spray done he sprayed the firewall. So I think it is ok back there. I guess the only way to really know is to see some stuff ripped out though? hard to say either way with certainty right now though.

Any other thoughts?

My other question is that if there is oil on the clutch, does that mean it's pooched? or will it be ok after the leak (if there is one) stops?

 

If the clutch material is saturated it'll never stop chattering/slipping. Once it's wet it doesn't dry out. Same thing with brake pads/shoes....once they get fluid in 'em they're shot.

 

when taking it apart and looking at the clutch, will it be obvious if it had oil on it? or will it be hard to tell?

 

You should be able to tell fairly easily. Once oil gets into the friction material it doesn't come out, so you should be able to see and feel the wetness in it.

 

If you really want to know where the oil in coming from, go to a parts store and buy some oil dye and a black light. Put the dye in and run the engine for a while then shine the black light on it and the oil will show up bright yellow and then its real easy to find. Could be coming from the valve covers as well