1bad03snake

iTrader: (16)

My oil pan seems to be leaking from the front two outter bolts. its not a lot but its enough to put a few drips on the floor over night. I was thinking I could pull the bolt out clean with some brake clean put some RTV on the threads and retighten. Think it will work? Any better idea's?

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

So did you recently have the oil pan or timing cover off?

slammedc5

iTrader: (1)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Timing cover off recently? If the cover was tightened front bolts first ,then bottom two last, there's a great chance the oil pan is cracked

Always tighten the bottom 2 bolts before the front cover bolts!!!!! Amazing how this is not common knowledge. Its sorta common sense, not directing this toward you, speed shops even crack pans sometimes.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Well that's another possibility, but it might also be a lack of rtv along where the block and oil pan meet up. When reinstalling the timing cover you need to put a dab/bead of rtv along where the block and oil pan meet up.

1bad03snake

iTrader: (16)

First experience with ls motors. I didnt use any rtv so if i pull the timing cover and add rtv will that work? Can i do it wighout taking the crank pulley off?

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Yeah, that will most likely fix your leak.
You'll need to pull the crank pulley.

1bad03snake

iTrader: (16)

I did a cam swap, new oil pump, new head gaskets before I put the motor in my mustang. Now that the pan is full of oil Im seeing spots on the ground. After I get the car aligned and running I'll pull the front end off the motor and replace the timing cover gasket and use some RTV I hope the pan isnt cracked. If so my $40.00 find turned into an expensive oversight.

SSCamaro99_3

iTrader: (1)

My pan was cracked along the front two bolt holes during a cam install. It would even push some oil at high rpm. Apparently it is really easy to do, if the re-installation process is not followed very closely.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Can these cracks be seen?

Although tightening the lower bolts first makes sense from a pan cracking point of view, it really doesn't make sense in relation to keeping the seal centered on the balancer.

At any rate, I probably did mine backwards as well. I haven't started the engine yet. So I can have a look and see.

I didn't tighten them very tight.

Ron

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Where are you all putting this RTV? I have a pan gasket and follows the perimeter of the pan...So the timing cover would sit on it. confused...

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

With the timing cover removed the oil pan sticks-out past the block, like this when viewed from the side: L.

Right where the pan starts to stick out past the block is where you want to put the rtv, on the left and right side.

slammedc5

iTrader: (1)

Actually, i doesnt have an effect on the alignment. Leave the cover loose, tighten pulley, snug timing cover front bolts, the cover is set! Tighten the pans bolts first the cover doesnt pull down, just sets the pan and cover. Then tighten the front. Seal still aligned. I just did my cam swap 2 weeks ago.

I didnt mention the red gasket maker earlier because i thought that was a giving that it was used.

Good luck, i truely hope the pan is ok.

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

I just looked at my engine, it appears GM put a yellow putty looking stuff on the corners as described above. Anyone know what this stuff is?

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

I'll check it out. I have an alignment tool I used. (Crank pinning tool. The pulley wasn't on. I would almost think you would hear it crack.

Thanks

ron