440 cam plug ??

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Isn't there  a freeze plug of sorts behind the cam on the back side of the block  and if so do they ever fail and leak ? Best I can tell I have a large oil leak coming down the inside of the back of the block and its a fresh engine with 300 mi. on it. Oil pressure is about 50 lbs. The motor is dry around the valve covers and valley pan and I don't think the pan is leaking because it would be obvious as this thing dumped a QUART out in 15 miles. No BS. I changed the oil and  with a 6 qt. pan I put 6 qts. plus a pint of zink in and took 5 qts out. The rest is on the underside of the car.  Ideas ??

[BSB67]

I have not heard of this being a problem, but I suppose it is possible.

Here are few observations for you to consider

1) If you loose a quart in 15 miles, you should also create a huge oil puddle in your driveway idling in 15 minutes and probably have oil smoking/burning from your exhaust system.  Your method might not be very precise in measuring oil loss (lots of variables),  Oil level change on the dipstick might be a better gauge of your oil loss rate
2) A valve cover leak on a new clean painted motor and fresh oil with low miles can be really difficult to see.
3) The rear main seal is usually the source of oil leaking from the back of the motor.  People report leaking rear main seals regularly on rebuilt motors.
4) There are pipe plugs at the back of the motor that could leak oil too.
5) The oil pressure sending unit/line and two pipe plugs at the back of the motor could leak as well.
6) as you stated, the oil pan/block mating surface could leak.



                                                                                                                   

[Highbanked Hauler]

  No doubt about it,it leaves a good sized puddle  when idling in one place and smokes some because  oil has made its way on the headers. Having said that there is twice the oil on the right header as opposed to the left side. There is only a very SMALL amount of oil around the valve covers and the pressure sender as I wiped it down while it was running.
  I was just under it again and noticed there was oil on a header bolt so I am going to pull the right valve cover. Simple is better if thats it...

[BSB67]

  No doubt about it,it leaves a good sized puddle  when idling in one place and smokes some because  oil has made its way on the headers. Having said that there is twice the oil on the right header as opposed to the left side. There is only a very SMALL amount of oil around the valve covers and the pressure sender as I wiped it down while it was running.
  I was just under it again and noticed there was oil on a header bolt so I am going to pull the right valve cover. Simple is better if thats it...

Good response.  Which header bolt, head flange, or collector?

If you have not checked, make sure it is not tranny fluid.

What kind of valve covers, (stamped steel, cast aluminum....) and what kind of gasket?

[terrible one]

Yep when I built my 383 at the age of 17 I left the plug out entirely  Lost about half a quart during the 20 minute break-in. It sucked having to hit the garage floor for a few more hours to drop and reinstall the transmission all for a 3 minute job of tapping the plug in.

[Highbanked Hauler]

  No doubt about it,it leaves a good sized puddle  when idling in one place and smokes some because  oil has made its way on the headers. Having said that there is twice the oil on the right header as opposed to the left side. There is only a very SMALL amount of oil around the valve covers and the pressure sender as I wiped it down while it was running.
  I was just under it again and noticed there was oil on a header bolt so I am going to pull the right valve cover. Simple is better if thats it...

Good response.  Which header bolt, head flange, or collector?

If you have not checked, make sure it is not tranny fluid.

What kind of valve covers, (stamped steel, cast aluminum....) and what kind of gasket?

   No.8 cyl front & rear bolt      Factory steel cover with cork  gasket.  If this is the only leak it ran down behind the header ( thats why I didn't get anything wiping the valley pan and backs of the valve covers)  tube and all over the lower part of the headers  BUT it also ran across the lip of the oil pan to the left side of the motor UNLESS     I have the left side doing the same thing.  If thats the case its just messy but not expensive.

   terrible one I can relate, putting lifters in a 289 Ford, its called education

[terrible one]

  No doubt about it,it leaves a good sized puddle  when idling in one place and smokes some because  oil has made its way on the headers. Having said that there is twice the oil on the right header as opposed to the left side. There is only a very SMALL amount of oil around the valve covers and the pressure sender as I wiped it down while it was running.
  I was just under it again and noticed there was oil on a header bolt so I am going to pull the right valve cover. Simple is better if thats it...

Good response.  Which header bolt, head flange, or collector?

If you have not checked, make sure it is not tranny fluid.

What kind of valve covers, (stamped steel, cast aluminum....) and what kind of gasket?

   No.8 cyl front & rear bolt      Factory steel cover with cork  gasket.  If this is the only leak it ran down behind the header ( thats why I didn't get anything wiping the valley pan and backs of the valve covers)  tube and all over the lower part of the headers  BUT it also ran across the lip of the oil pan to the left side of the motor UNLESS     I have the left side doing the same thing.  If thats the case its just messy but not expensive.

   terrible one I can relate, putting lifters in a 289 Ford, its called education

Haha yes indeed and its lessons like those that stick. Also know about the Y block toadstool lifters thankfully was with someone who did know during that rebuild 

[bordin34]

I had a similar problem with my engine. It turned out I needed to retorque both valve covers and the oil pan as the gasket had compressed a bit.