Hey all.
So trying to fix all my leaks... I have a oil leak and not sure how to confirm if its the sump or rear main. Obviously just the sump gasket is alot easier/quicker job but I dont want to pull the motor out and replace the sump gasket only and have it still leak!
Usually Id say while the engine is out just do both anyway but its a Holden 355 with the rope seal. Engine was built but a pro performance engine builder, all aftermarket parts so im not sure what the bolt stretch or torque settings would be so id prefer not to mess with it. Altho I wouldnt mind a look at the bearings just to see everything is ok. but the engine has only done maybe 1000km or so.
So ive cleaned everything down, gone for abit of a drive and put it up on the hoist... Small leak near the front left which is definitely sump gasket but the main leak is right at the rear below the crank. but from what I can see it looks like its coming out of the sump, but obviously the rear main is higher so if its that it would run down over the sump and look like that anyway...
But ive tried to use abit of paper towel and stick it up past the sump onto the rear main area and its coming back pretty dry (but there is next to no room so its hard to tell for sure)
The engine had sat not running for very long stretches at a time (over a year), do the rear mains "dry up" if not used and its a 90% chance it is the rear main?
Also ive seen people use a "sneaky pete" and replace the rear main with the crank in place... anyone had success with that? ive no doubt id be able to get it swapped over but not confident it wouldnt still leak.
My other idea is once the engine is out to use my compressor and pressurize the crank case with a few psi and turn the motor over by hand and use a bubble formula to confirm it is leaking from the rear main? is this a horrible idea? anyone know how much pressure would be in a crankcase under normal use?
Sorry long post, thanks if you got this far!
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