losing oil up top

[sext7366]

Ok started losing oil at the top of the engine and it was sitting in the valley pan.  I changed the breather on the passenger side, and got a new pcv valve both with new grommets.  Still happened so I got rid of the pcv and added another breather to the drivers side.  Still happening...found a very tiny hole in the valley pan so I changed that too, and still losing oil which doesn't sit in the valley pan now but is spraying from somewhere on the drivers side around either the breather or the back of the motor up to the valve cover.  The oil pressure sending unit is an aftermarket autogage I think, and I tightened it real tight to make sure that wasn't it, but it does use a plastic hose to the gage.  It isn't visibly spraying but you can see some steam when it gets hot around the same area on the valve cover. Any Ideas where to start?  Oil pressure gauge? grommet?

Oh in case u ask 383 headers forged pistons 9to1 compression 230/236 cam windage tray single plane and holley 770 otherwise stock

[Chryco Psycho]

What valave covers , the cast alum often leak in the rear corners
Change the plastic oil pressure line to copper , Make Sure none of the fittings are split

[TylerCharger69]

I agree   cast  valve covers  do leak  if not enough silicone (black) is used, which is a possibility.   But  judging by your description,  it sounds like either the sending unit itself is leaking (not at the threads..but the unit itself)  or the line is busted or split.   Use copper tubing for that as opposed to the cheap clear plastic hose  these usually come with.

[sext7366]

Ok it gets better, I ordered a new valve cover grommet for the pcv side which was a factory replacement and the oil stopped up top, but now with the car idleing there is still oil coming out of the dipstick tube, which is half steam.  So its not actually by the top of the engine, or valve covers its as if the internal pressure is too high and causing the dipstick to pop up a small amount to release it.  I do have the cast valve covers but haven't ever had any problems with them.  Like I said this is ridiculous...

[firefighter3931]

Sext, do you have a breather on the opposite valvecover to the pcv ?



Ron

[daves68]

If you are really seeing steam coming out of the dipstick tube, I would check for a leaking,blown head gasket. That may account for all of the blow-by that is forcing oil out everywhere.  Do a compression test.

[sext7366]

Yes I do have a breather on the passenger side and I have a pcv valve on the drivers side.  I will do a compression check today or tomorrow.

[sext7366]

ok so compression was a bit low on pas side guess i'll change that head gasket and if it still happens ill let u know know... on second thought i might as well change them both while ive got it all apart... oh yeah does anyone knoe the correct size of head bolts i should be using i need one new bolt, and do u think a grade 8 bolt from ace hardware would work?

[Chryco Psycho]

the head bolts are special shouldered bolts