Oil leak and oil pump cover

[SaltyDog]

After a ~2 year hiatus, I am a SHO owner again. :woo-hoo:

The new project is a '91 SHO+. My question for the group is about the oil pump cover. I surfed through previous threads, but I didn't quite find the answers.

I have a big leak coming from the passenger-forward side of the engine. I'm still disassembling things to get a better look, but I am pretty certain this is NOT coming from the valve covers/cam seal area. The crank seal by the lower timing gear appears to be good (no visible leakage).

Data point - as I was removing the idler pulley assembly (the one on the forward side of the engine, near the alternator) the bottom bolt came out of the block soaked with oil. I checked...the hole in which it belongs is filled with oil. What might cause that? That never happened on my previous SHO.

I have more work to do - pulling the pan this week and after that, I intend to pull the timing cover and re-seal it.

Anyone else pulled the timing cover? I'm interested in any/all advice from anyone who may have seen/done this before.

If/when I get a better site-picture on my dilemma, I will post info/pics.

Many thanks in advance!

Brian

 

[rubydist]

from your description, the most likely culprit is the front cam seal. oil leaking from that will get to the idler bolt you are describing.

 

[AREA 91]

It might be the oil pump to block seal.

 

[SaltyDog]

It might be the oil pump to block seal.

I wish it was...I replaced it but no joy.

I spoke with Mike from SHOSource, most likely this is a flaw in the block casting. Oil from the pump ouput pipeline is crossing over into the threaded hole for the tensioner pulley bracket bolt.

At any rate, I made a circular gasket for where the bracket meets the front of the oil pump housing, purchased a rubberized washer for the bolt head...and that has stemmed most of the leak. Most but not all.

I think the next big step is....rebuild/refresh a different block.

 

[msteiny]

I would try Loctite 569. Its a thread sealant for high pressure fittings. I use it on aircraft here at work and its works amazing. Perfect for what your describing. Or try any thread sealant and see if that works.