Oil Leak

[79F1504X400]

I just discovered there is oil pooling at the base of the distributor. I cleaned it off, started the engine and watched with a mirror and flashlight as the oil slowly puddled around the hold down clamp. Could the o-ring around the distributor be bad or could it be coming from somewhere else?? I didn't think there would be enough oil pressure to push it back up from under the dizzy.
A couple days ago I did pull the distributor out enough to retard the rotor a tooth maybe the o-ring got damaged or maybe there isn't one there.....I didn't notice when I was messing with it cause I was going pretty much by feel.

 

[IMenriched]

I just discovered there is oil pooling at the base of the distributor. I cleaned it off, started the engine and watched with a mirror and flashlight as the oil slowly puddled around the hold down clamp. Could the o-ring around the distributor be bad or could it be coming from somewhere else?? I didn't think there would be enough oil pressure to push it back up from under the dizzy.
A couple days ago I did pull the distributor out enough to retard the rotor a tooth maybe the o-ring got damaged or maybe there isn't one there.....I didn't notice when I was messing with it cause I was going pretty much by feel.

you may not have damaged that O-ring...they do get hard after awhile & be come less effective...especially after getting disturbed.

In Short, yes, it is a bad O-ring under the distributor

 

[79F1504X400]

Im surprised there's enough oil pressure to do that. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Sounds like I'll be pulling it out and replacing the O-ring.

 

[79F1504X400]

Pulled the distrbtr last night. The O-ring looks OK, kinda thin but its intact. Going to try and get just an O-ring....Im thinking they're going to tell me I have to buy a whole new one. While I was thinking about it, I took the TFI module off to check for the Hi Temp stuff your suppose to put between the two....there was none!! Glad I checked it....thats another potential problem. I found another module in my tool box from when I had my 90 LX 5.0 liter. Im taking those to Autozone and get them checked out to see if both are good. I dont remember why or how I ended up with a spare off the Stang.
Also want to give Kudos to those NAPA guys....I've been having real good luck lately with them having relays and electrical stuff I was sure they'd say "junkyard or dealer" item. Prices aren't bad either. Some threads I've read, guys had sticker shock. I haven't paid more that 25 doll hairs for any part so far.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

Pulled the distrbtr last night. The O-ring looks OK, kinda thin but its intact. Going to try and get just an O-ring....Im thinking they're going to tell me I have to buy a whole new one. While I was thinking about it, I took the TFI module off to check for the Hi Temp stuff your suppose to put between the two....there was none!! Glad I checked it....thats another potential problem. I found another module in my tool box from when I had my 90 LX 5.0 liter. Im taking those to Autozone and get them checked out to see if both are good. I dont remember why or how I ended up with a spare off the Stang.
Also want to give Kudos to those NAPA guys....I've been having real good luck lately with them having relays and electrical stuff I was sure they'd say "junkyard or dealer" item. Prices aren't bad either. Some threads I've read, guys had sticker shock. I haven't paid more that 25 doll hairs for any part so far.

felpro sells the o-ring I know for sure

 

[79F1504X400]

Okey Dokey.....got a new O-ring, put it all back together and still have oil seeping in around distrbtr. Maybe theres a leak between lower intake and the engine block. When its idling, its a fairly slow leak, I can see it moving, just cant see exactly where its coming from.

When i was chasing down the O ring, I mentioned it to one parts guy that "maybe Felpro has just the O-ring" and he shot me a look like "WTF R U talking about??" Anyhoo...I found an assortment pack of O-rings.(Dorman/HELP) So now I have about a bazillion O-rings for what engines I dont know. Probably would cover all the domestics and some imports I'm sure. It was only $4 dolla.

 

[Big Jim M]

Put a wrench on the back two maniflod bolts on both sides and see if you can tighten them a bit..
Big JIm

 

[79F1504X400]

Put a wrench on the back two maniflod bolts on both sides and see if you can tighten them a bit..
Big JIm

Thanks Big Jim , I did check all the intake bolts, they are tight. I checked the valve cover bolts even though its not coming from those. They were a little loose for my taste, but No, I didnt crank them down, just snugged 'em to where they won't seep any oil. I think I'm running out of the easy things to check....guess I'll have to pull the intake and re-do that. Its the only thing left to do. I'm thinkin' the P.O did a half-a$$ job of installing the intake.

 

[Big Jim M]

Ya know... It simply MUST be the valve cover.. That head gasket doesn't have any oil associated with it. I guess I had my head under my wing again. You most likely have a small valve cover leak. AND the back is the low end of the head so most start leaking back there.
BTW older dists didn't have O-rings! They had a simple round gasket that slid up the length of the dist and sealed between the block and the dist when tightned.
Also there is only thrown oil up there and damn little of that.
Scuse me for not being awake during these posts...change out your valve cover gaskets.
Big JIm

 

[79F1504X400]

That would be a simple fix if it is the valve covers. I did tighten the bolts towards the back of the V covers.....so maybe thats the culprit. I haven't started it since I re-tightened everything.....winter is trying to make a comeback. I didnt feel like freezing my pa-tooties. Im gonna do it tonight regardless. My dist does have an O-ring. Should I put one between block and distrbtr?? Can't see what it would hurt.....

 

[Big Jim M]

It isn't leaking there! Do the valve covers and the oil should stay inside.
Big JIm

 

[79F1504X400]

OK. THat would be a helluva lot easier than pulling the intake. Thanx

 

[79F1504X400]

Definetely not coming from valve covers. I cleaned the whole area, both sides with brake cleaner, waited for it to be good a dry, started it and again watched as oil slowly puddled around the distributor. After watching and taking notes, still think its coming from between lower intake and engine block. I can see a small area where it looks like there is no seal/gasket so I slathered some gasket maker on it to see if it slows it down.

 

[79F1504X400]

Bad day yesterday. Got the courage up to go for a spin around the neighborhood and got towed home. Was a mile er two from the house, it started sputtering, and died. When I got home I pulled the fuel line and turned on the key and gas barely came out. So either the filter is plugged or the high press. pump crapped out, I dont hear it prime when I turn the key on. Relays are clicking....thats good. So glad I found a good samaritan!!!

 

[79F1504X400]

Got the little beast running again yesterday. I went ahead and replaced both fuel filters. (someone added one before the Hi Press. pump) and it started right up. So I crawled under while it was idling and started wiggling the plug and I heard it cuttin in and out as I wiggled it.....so I removed the bad section of wire and re-soldered it. Good as new!! Still got the oil leak.......