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So I got back to working on the truck today - and it isn't looking good

I just replaced the head gasket, torqued the head to spec and buttoned everything up a couple weeks ago. Today I was going to change the oil, drop the tank and flush it out, then start that critter up.

So- I get my drain pan in place and pull the drain plug, and am rewarded with a pint or so of water, and then a gallon or so of the nastiest clumpy back oil you ever walked a long way to avoid. Good thing I decided to change the oil, eh?

No worries, I drain what I can with the help of about a quart of fresh oil, then put the plug back in and pour in 3 or so quarts of fresh oil to wash the rest of the crap out of the pan. I spin the motor over briefly (4-5 seconds) to agitate the oil a bit, and then drain it again. Little more water, which, considering, doesn't surprise me all that much, and more clumpy oil. Okay- looking good.

Here's the problem. When I spun the motor over I got a HUGE oil leak off the back of the motor. Like a pint or so in just a few seconds. it APPEARS to be coming from above the trans, and not from the valve gasket. So it's not the valve cover gasket or the rear main. I just put in a brand new head gasket and torqued all 10 bolts to spec, so it shouldn't be coming from the head/block gasket surface, unless there's a secondary gasket in there somewhere that I missed. Is there an oil feed or drain line on the top/back of the motor I might have missed somewhere? Any ideas, anyone?

Merlyn
[/u]

what year is your luv

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http://www.facebook.com/ez.cracker
dangerous-toys4life
73 3-door avalanche bdydropped on 18s
86 1-ton 4x crewcab short bd 15"lift
75 k-5 2x
94 king cab

Sorry- I should have included that, shouldn't have I?

It's a '79 4X4, and I got the leak fixed. It was a classic case of "I'm an idiot"

Apparently when I put the valve cover back on, the half-circle seal that rides under the V/C gasket in the back fell forward, and I missed it. So I just pulled the valve cover, and there that seal was, just lying there behind the valve train. Stuck it back in it's hole, put the V/C back on (carefully) and tightened everything back down- Presto! No more huge oil leak.

Tomorrow I get to hook the input line for the (electric) fuel pump to a gas can and see if she'll start. If she will, and the motor sounds okay- I'll drop and clean the gas tank, put it back in, hook up all the assorted vacuum lines, try and graft the '75 smog pump onto the '79, and I'm on the road.

Then I get to start working on the '78 2WD I am about to go pick up :: chuckle :: Supposedly all IT needs in a clutch- guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

Merlyn

glad to hear that it is ok lol j/k

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/ez.cracker
dangerous-toys4life
73 3-door avalanche bdydropped on 18s
86 1-ton 4x crewcab short bd 15"lift
75 k-5 2x
94 king cab

Good to hear,

And on the topic of those goofy halfmoon rubber plugs...WTF is the deal with those?!?

Did the braintrusts at Isuzu feel there needed to be one more place oil could possibly leak from an engine?

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FIAA: Color Guard

allot of 4 bangers have them not just the luv... thay will get you every time

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My old but now gone Luv...

Yeah- never seen a 4 banger without them- Motorcycles included! At least on bike motors, the seals are part of the valve cover gasket :: chuckle ::

Merlyn

Guessing the inventor has lots invested in oil and engine cleaner vendors.


Seriously, after thinking about it, I figure maybe it's for expansion of the aluminum heads used in lots of 4 bangers and M/C heads.

???

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FIAA: Color Guard

Actually I *think* they put them in for cam access. I checked, and there are 2 notches on DOHC motorcycle engines- one at the end of each cam.

Far as I know, the aluminum V8 heads don't have them.

Merlyn

Yep...and for some odd reason, even though they look the same, I've found out from experience it's best to try both of them at both ends to see which way they fit best to help keep them from leaking.

The cut-outs in the head are always just a tiny bit different and so are the little rubber half moons - just enough so that it does matter which one goes where. It's kinda weird - but true.

Another fine example of the benefits of owning a vehicle that was the result of a brilliant Isuzu/Chevy technological collaboration...

Those half holes are from the manufacturing process, they line bore the cam bearings out of the raw casting on what amounts to basically a big drill press. There has to be a hole (or half of one) on at least one end of the head for the bit to get down in there.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Ah HA!

The mystery resolved!

Thanks.
Merlyn