North American Turbocoupe Organization



oil leak
gtrosema Offline
Member
#1
Hey guys,
I got one for ya'll to ponder for me. I rebuilt the engine in my 88, And since then I have replaced the rear main seal today makes number 3. I have not put many miles on it because of this. Today I put in a ford rear seal and still it leaks or something in that area is leaking. The 2 plugs on the back of the block are dry. The first 2 seals were from Advance, so I thought maybe the manufacturer had a bad day? I am at a loss here, my son wants to say oil pan gasket (He's a Master ASE tech),but I don't see it. We replaced the seal and fired it up and let it run for about 10 - 15 minutes, then I drove it to the corner and came back and it was wet on the trans pan, the bellhousing. The back of the flywheel is dry which is kind of puzzling in itself. When the trans was out there was soe oil inside on the bottom of the bellhousing but the rest was dry. I drove it about an hour to my sons shop and you would think the flywheel would be soaking wet.
I am kind of leaning toward a boost issue? Not sure why just grasping for straws at this point. Boost is only coming up to about 10 today when I drove it. Bad thing is I didn't have this issue before I rebuilt it.Is there supposed to be a restictor in the rear main bearing saddle? Oil pressure gauge is almost on "H" and stays there. Engine sounds great and runs good. Should I ask the machine shop anything?
Let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks
03 Cobra Conv
62 Galaxie 4 dr
69 Torino GT fastback
01 Navigator
86 Mustang GT conv
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Not B Anymore Offline
Administrator
#2
When you rebuilt the engine, did you apply rtv sealant where the rear main cap meets the block on either side? If not, I'd guess that's where your problem is. There is a gap there that the oil pan gasket does not and can not seal off.
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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goldwing Offline
Senior Member
#3
Forgive me if my comments seem retarded but its late and I'm only repeating what I've read.
* Is it possible the oil is coming from the head feed area or head gasket instead of the rear seal ?
*I think the earlier year 2.3L had a different rear seal. Is it possible the assembler put a different oil pan or something in for that older motor/design ?
T.C:87 5 speed
HOLSET(HE341/HY35W type-D),255 Walbro, No intercooler yet,8lbs boost,Timing @ 9,Low& C.C Plates & SN-95 Bumpsteer Kit, KYB-AGX Struts,Belt driven fan,Custom oil cooler feed,Relocated ECT,Relocated TFI,N/A Hood, showing 178K
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Not B Anymore Offline
Administrator
#4
Nah they all use the same rear main. '86 to '87 is where the changes in the oil pan and pan gasket come in. That's almost impossible to screw up as an '86 oil pan will not even seat on a later block unless the rear main cap is switched to the earlier style which is highly doubtful. Ask me how I know that little piece of info!
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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gtrosema Offline
Member
#5
I put silicone on the outside of the main cap where the oil pan meets the block.
The rear main seal is a one piece and is the same for the 5.0.
I am thinking of adding a washer to the bolts on the oil pan and see if that helps? I do have the stiffener rails on it now.
03 Cobra Conv
62 Galaxie 4 dr
69 Torino GT fastback
01 Navigator
86 Mustang GT conv
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#6
Was the crank turned down. Was the rear maine turned or polished. Sometimes te main bearing gets a small groove in it where the seal rides. This is what I think happened to one of mine. They make a thin sleeve to go over the main to restore a flat surface but you will have to check the viability of that repair. It helped mine for awhile but didn't completely fix it.
Pete Dunham


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gtrosema Offline
Member
#7
I knew they made similar sleeve for a front seal but wasn't sure if they made one for the rear. I did seat this seal in the very bottom vs having the seal flush with the lip around where it goes.
I was even wondering if there was a seal for oversized lip? I am going to put a mechanical oil pressure guage on it and see just how much oil pressure there is.
03 Cobra Conv
62 Galaxie 4 dr
69 Torino GT fastback
01 Navigator
86 Mustang GT conv
Reply

turbocoupes Offline
Senior Member
#8
You've stated "trans pan" so this has an automatic trans? could the leak be from the torque convertor seal?...dark trans fluid?Is it dripping while running or after shut off? Was the seal installed backwards? Is there oil along the sides of the oil pan? Oil ONLY inside the bellhousing shrinks the posible causes...crank end,over torqued flexplate/flywheel,seal/housing,oilpan/gskt,something cracked/misaligned.Good hunting!
Garry McVey "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" TBird TC owners are usually wingin' it
TC's 83 project, 86 donor for 83, 86 FUN street car daily driver with speed equipment from Red 88 donor, 87 blue to be stock street car, 87 red donor for blue and others, 87 red donor, 88 street and strip(now a donor) 14.01 chasin 13.0's, 87 XR4ti project,
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gtrosema Offline
Member
#9
NO it is oil. NO there is only a small amount inside the bellhousing, the outside bellhusing on the bottom is wet and it goes further on to the pan. Thanks for the thoughts though.
03 Cobra Conv
62 Galaxie 4 dr
69 Torino GT fastback
01 Navigator
86 Mustang GT conv
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turbocoupes Offline
Senior Member
#10
OK! Oil sender drivers side back of head,oil line that threads into sender block,sender?extension/block,headgskt? oil pressure feed drivers rear cornor,valve cover &or gskt. Passenger side...oil feed for turbo,oil return to block,valve cover& or gskt...
Garry McVey "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" TBird TC owners are usually wingin' it
TC's 83 project, 86 donor for 83, 86 FUN street car daily driver with speed equipment from Red 88 donor, 87 blue to be stock street car, 87 red donor for blue and others, 87 red donor, 88 street and strip(now a donor) 14.01 chasin 13.0's, 87 XR4ti project,
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