I am getting this 1950 Olds 88 running after sitting for many years. 5 years ago my Dad replaced the timing gears, timing cover seal, gaskets, etc, but he never drove it after that. This oil originally appeared to come from the front oil pan gasket, so I put some RTV on the spike where it was leaking. The leak moved to a spike above so I put RTV on that as well. The leak is now worse and maybe the leak is coming from the front face onto the pan gasket? The leak gets worse as you rev up the engine.

Where do you think this is leaking from? I have included a video link to my you tube below. I tried to upload the video but no luck with that yet. The video is 21 MB.

 

Sometimes a bad leak like that (and that is bad) will show up as a clean spot where the leak begins, that is if you haven't wipe the area clean in a while. Worth a look and the price is right.... Tedd

 

Thanks, great idea . I already have the UV light and glasses from AC work.

 

I'm no 50s engine expert, but perhaps he left off the oil slinger, or perhaps the harmonic balancer was severely scored and ruined the front seal. If it's the balancer, you might be able to get a machine shop to sleeve it.

An oil slinger for you car might be this:

USED 1949-1964 OLDS 303 324 V8 CRANKSHAFT WOODRUFF KEY AND OIL SLINGER 88 98 | eBay

 

Thanks for the reply. I put some dye in and ran it today. Then I pulled the radiator, see pictures below. Can you tell me what you see there?

 

Again, I am no expert on the 50s engine, but that looks like come kind of broken casting. Is that the front cover? Block? or Water Pump? Someone more familiar with this engine might know.

 

Thanks for the response. I am also not familiar with these engines. I re-posted in the engines forum to see if it gets more views/responses.

 

Is it the oil pan not seated correctly? You said your dad had changed the timing chain, maybe he didnt get that together correctly?

 

Yes, the top picture with the red circle is the front, bottom driver side of the engine, where the oil pan and timing cover come together. The bottom picture is the same but passenger side. The engine dye was evident on the passenger side, less so on the driver side. Either way, I'm pretty well convinced this is the cause of the leak. My best guess is that either the oil pan was damaged or as RetroRanger stated, the oil pan did not get seated properly. Should I pull the timing cover next? or remove the front engine mount?

 

It looks to me as though someone tried to remove and replace the timing cover without removing the oil pan first .
One might be able to do that on a Chevy , but definately not on a first generation Olds .
Looks to me as though the pan was badly damaged by the attempt to reinstall the cover .

 

Yes that looks like it, better picture with pulley removed

 

completely agree...on both sides there is a distinct flat spot (like a screw driver was wedged in to pry)

 

You're probably going to need an oil pan .
The good news is that 1949 thru 1956 oil pans will fit .
According to the parts book ;
1963 Oldsmobile Parts and Accessories Catalog (Chassis Edition) - ClassicOldsmobile.com

 

That thing is not leaking, it is pouring. I think the gang here has pin pointed your problem. Unfortunately you have some work ahead of you. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info. I found one from Toms auto parts in Maine.

 

Well I have the pan out. I do not think the oil pan is damaged. Upon inspection, it appears those areas in the top corners are supposed to be shaped that way. The gasket has a right angle shape to it that exactly matches the oil pan. I do believe the leak was coming from the oil pan gasket not seating properly. There are also two tabs in the oil pan gasket kit. Where do they go?

 

I believe those small tabs get glued into the gap on each side of the rear main cap. They should be made of cork.

 

The two small cork "tabs" go on either side of the rear main bearing cap .
Check that pan carefully . It looks like it has been bent and pried on .

 

Thanks...I have a new gasket and used oil pan on order. A side by side comparison of the 2 oil pans should make it obvious.

 

Where exactly do these 2 cork tabs get placed? Is it where that black rectangle is?

are they “glued” just using black rtv gasket maker?

 

This is where the two cork tabs go .
A little Permatex here won't hurt .

 

Thanks Charlie...I looked there but questioned it because the cork tab provided is bigger than that space. Anyway I had to scrape out the old ones and trim the new ones to fit.

 

You shouldn't have trimmed those tabs . They are meant to be squeezed into that cavity by the oil pan .
But since you have done so , I would suggest putting a dab of silicone sealer there when you install the pan .