Smells like oil... Leaking on exhaust

[Scout62]

I have oil dripping off the block on the drivers side onto the bend on the exhaust pipe. Valve covers are good. What is the next thing to check? It is fine at idle, after driving it is burning on the exhaust manifold and at the bend.

 

[That Guy]

If you've ruled out the valve cover gaskets, it might be the oil pressure sender, power steering hose, brake fluid?

Do you have an added mechanical oil pressure gauge? The capillary tube might be leaking.

 

[Scoutboy74]

Since you said valve cover(s) plural, I'm assuming this is an sv8. Check for oil pooling at the back of the block. The valley pan or push rod cover...whichever you please...is a notorious leak source on the sv8 engines.

 

[Scout62]

I know it isn't the power steering hose, as I don't have the luxury of power steering, bone stock 266 v8. The more I look I am thinking valley pan, like soutboy74 said. Not entirely excited to pull the im off though, heard they are heavy.

This also seems to make sense with why it only leaks under load, but not when idling. Hopefully I'll get in some wrench time this week and report back.

 

[Scoutboy74]

They are indeed heavy. Be sure to not only drain your radiator, but also your block to avoid fluid cross-mojonation when you pull the intake.

 

[Bill Bennett]

If/when the valley pan gets the gasket replaced, also take the time to inspect the 'pan' itself for small 'rust through' holes. Need a strong light - like hold the pan up to the sun and look for the holes. The manifold gets heavier the 2nd time you need to take it off!!

 

[That Guy]

Since we're on that topic, while your manifold is off, check the welch plugs. Having to take it off again just to replace them sucks, I know.

 

[Scout62]

Thanks for the advice. From the looks of the manifold exposed my leak is there. I didn't realize the manifold was that big. Besides the welch plugs, any other tips or things to look at while I've got it empty and apart?

Also any goo or adhesive putting it back together?

 

[Danny Phillips]

I just did my 345. When I got every thing cleaned up I noticed tabs sticking up from the cylinder head gasket. They looked like they would slice the valley pan gasket on reinstallation. I removed these tabs with a sharp chisel and used a little hi temp silicone at the mating between cylinder head and block. I also used permatex aviation gasket sealer sparingly on both sides of the valley pan gasket. I weighed the bare intake manifold (2 barrel) and it weighed 60 lbs even. Now everythings back together and no more leaks from the top end. I also found out I was only getting 3\4 throttle and readjusted that. I didn't think these ran so good.