I have a pretty major oil leak since having the engine updated. Smokes pretty bad from the passenger side header, keeps smoking for a little while after shut down because the header wrap has oil on it.
I narrowed it down to 3 options:

• Oil filter adapter
• Passenger rear valve cover
• Intake rear seal

I replaced the filter adapter, no success. So I targeted the intake next. Pulled the distributor and found a puddle of oil on the rear of the block, right next to the hole where it would drain down the block to the filter area. Using a mirror, I found what appears to be inadequate sealant on the passenger side. Looks like there isn't enough there to even "spooge" out past the intake. I'll take credit for the poor install.

Thought I'd confirm that this would be cause of an oil leak, before pulling the intake. I'll also mention that the shop that did my 5-speed install also swapped my manual brakes to a powered booster, and used my PCV line for the booster. So my last few trips in the car have been with no PCV hooked up.

Keep in mind, the pics are with a mirror. That's why it looks like the drivers side.

 

You could clean it very well and just spooge some more rtv over it. Try to lay a bead across the area that needs to be sealed up then once it's dry smear some on the edges around the bead. This has worked for me in the past not on an olds but on a sbc i built back in high school. It beats taking the intake off . It might be a little hack but it worked for me lol. Just out of curiousity did you install the rubber seals ? most guys will not install those as the never seal properly. I just use rtv on the end rails .

 

No rubber seals, just the Ultra Grey stuff.

 

I have never used the gray. I always use the black or red hi temp rtv. Since that area is not a high psi area i would assume thats why it worked for me . Since it's out of sight it wont be something too noticeable if you do goop it up a little bit. If not taking the intake off aint too bad if you already had it on and did it your self.

 

Clean it all up real good and drive it a short distance and check to see where its coming from. No use pulling the intake if the leak is at the valve cover.

 

Just to support what gear heads mentioned. I have pinched the valve cover gasket before it was a real mess. It smoked like a chimney as oil would constantly hit the headers.

 

A lot of us have had that happen. I think, I cleaned it and added RTV as necessary. You need a good tall bead on the rails. The grey is good stuff.

 

Go to NAPA and get the Right Stuff and fill the hole. Let it set up. It will be hard to get off but will not leak.

 

That is what I meant by the black rtv. It comes in a can and sets up pretty fast. I have also used it for leaking axles seals and it held up very well.

 

Thanks guys!

Valve cover gasket is good. I'll try just sealing the gap and hope for the best. R&R the intake isn't a big deal, but if I can avoid it... great!