Oil Leak Coming From Transmission Tunnel

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gradedcatfood

1972 Plymouth Duster 440
Joined
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I have a 440 big block that has a steady stream of oil dripping when the engine is running. I just replaced the rear main seal (from 440source) and there is still oil dripping from the back of the oil pan/bottom of the trans tunnel. I made sure to place the seal in the right direction as well.

I have a 6-quart oil pan (from 440source) and have about 6-7 quarts of oil in the engine, is that too much? Could that cause a leak? Is there any other place on the back of the engine that could cause such a leak?

Thanks
 
Check the oil pressure switch or if you have a mechanical oil gauge line at the back top of the engine. Could be running down the back of the engine making it look like the rear main.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
Check the oil pressure switch or if you have a mechanical oil gauge line at the back top of the engine. Could be running down the back of the engine making it look like the rear main.
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Made sure that wasn't the issue. All clean up top near the sending unit.
 
What about the valve covers? Did you install the two side seals on the rear main seal plate?
 
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There are 2 screw in oil galley plugs and the cam plug on the back of the block.SG beat me to it.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
could be coming from cam or the two pipe plugs. Is this a new build or has it been used for a while. look at the picture.
OIL LEAK on the 440 - Mopar Forums
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It's a new build. I replaced that cam plug on the build but left the two pipe plugs as they seemed to be set in pretty good. Thank you for that link. Do I have to remove the transmission in order to see if it is the cam plug or the two pipe plugs? Seems like it will be difficult to see up there while its attached....
 
clv22p said:
If you used the billet rear main from 440 source its entirely likely that it is the rear main leaking.
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I had trouble w/ the main seal cap being milled off more than necessary when my machinist line honed the block. Was leaking between the gasket and cap. also had to machine the rear un-used part of the girdle off, right below the # 5 main cap, it doesn`t do anything but catch oil. hope this helps ??
 
I am using the 440 source billet main seal too... Just fired my fresh build this weekend and sure enough it is a leakin.. I haven't dropped the trans yet to investigate. Going together it appeared like it was going to seal and be great, so I can't put the blame there yet. It is my suspicion however that's where the oil is coming from.
 
Guess I was lucky. I built a 440 for another members race car and it didn't leak using their billet rear main seal.
 
Sorry for the late reply to the post but here has been my findings...

Looks like both those threaded plugs were BARLEY in there! About 1/2 to 1 thread was holding both of these plugs in the block. I span both of them out with my finger with ease. Also looks like the cam freeze plug has some gray silicone on it and doesn't look completely flush with the block (little off angle).

My plan is to:

Install a new cam freeze plug with Permatex #2
Install the 2 threaded plugs with teflon tape

Would you all agree that permatex #2 for the freeze plug and teflon tape for the threaded plugs should do the job?

Here are the photos....

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IMG_4194.JPG
 
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And bam, you solved the problem! Teflon tape is good on the pipe plugs. The cam plug is shallower than that one. I use Indian head Shellac on all freeze plugs.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
And bam, you solved the problem! Teflon tape is good on the pipe plugs. The cam plug is shallower than that one. I use Indian head Shellac on all freeze plugs.
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Thanks for your help! What do you mean by "The cam plug is shallower than that one." Aren't I supposed to knock it in flush with the block?
 
Thanks for everyone's help. Replaced the freeze plug and tightened those oil gallery plugs and it started up with not a drop of oil!
 
So re-sealed the 440 source retainer it was still leaking. Removed that junk... found a used up pos 400 retainer cleaned it up put it in no leaks. Yay!
 
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