228 oil pan/timing cover leak

MagKarl

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Jan 18, 2021
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First season after a 15 year hiatus, have developed a significant oil leak that is getting worse each outing. Appears to be coming from the front edge of the oil pan where it meets the timing cover. Original 228 engine, about 700 hours but 40 years old.

Are there any good alternatives to pulling the motor to fix?
 

MagKarl

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Jan 18, 2021
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I'm OK with pulling the motor this winter, what else should I plan to do while it's out?

Are the 1 piece pan gaskets friendly to install with the motor hanging, or do I need to put it on a stand and flip it upside down?
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,..... I'd put it on a stand, 'n let gravity work for you, rather than fightin' it,.....
 

tank1949

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First season after a 15 year hiatus, have developed a significant oil leak that is getting worse each outing. Appears to be coming from the front edge of the oil pan where it meets the timing cover. Original 228 engine, about 700 hours but 40 years old.

Are there any good alternatives to pulling the motor to fix?
Get some good tools and a good timing chain cover and lots of brake cleaner and form a gasket silicon (high temp is the best) . Buy new TC gasket including oil seal. Sea Rays suck as far as providing room to work on motor. But, I'd try loosening all pan bolts, especially near front of motor and see if you can flex pan enough to remove TC cover. Good luck.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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Get some good tools and a good timing chain cover and lots of brake cleaner and form a gasket silicon (high temp is the best) . Buy new TC gasket including oil seal. Sea Rays suck as far as providing room to work on motor. But, I'd try loosening all pan bolts, especially near front of motor and see if you can flex pan enough to remove TC cover. Good luck.
^^^ Quickest way to absolutely guarantee you'll have more leaks after than before. Pull the engine and do it right!
 

tank1949

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^^^ Quickest way to absolutely guarantee you'll have more leaks after than before. Pull the engine and do it right!
In my 72 years on this planet, I have seen or done this application that has worked to patch the problem more than ONCE. If he pulls V8 pan, then the BEST, but this will get him by. Form a gasket made of special silicon has been used for decades. If I were to pull 40+ year old motor, I'd rebuild the motor.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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In my 72 years on this planet, I have seen or done this application that has worked to patch the problem more than ONCE. If he pulls V8 pan, then the BEST, but this will get him by. Form a gasket made of special silicon has been used for decades. If I were to pull 40+ year old motor, I'd rebuild the motor.
Yes, I've seen this sort of dodgy workmanship many times before. It brings me to tears seeing some of the truly awful things people will do in the name of a 'quick fix'. DON'T DO IT! And to tank, please stop suggests way for people to do half-fast jobs. It's not what these forums are about. Do it properly, or don't do it at all (ie, give it to someone who will do it properly).

Chris...
 

tank1949

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Yes, I've seen this sort of dodgy workmanship many times before. It brings me to tears seeing some of the truly awful things people will do in the name of a 'quick fix'. DON'T DO IT! And to tank, please stop suggests way for people to do half-fast jobs. It's not what these forums are about. Do it properly, or don't do it at all (ie, give it to someone who will do it properly).

Chris...
Practically and perfections do not always meet.
 

tank1949

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'Practicality' is not an excuse for doing a dodgy job. Not in world....
By default, HE is asking for advice. So, you'd spend thousands of $$$ instead of < $200 job of replacing a harmonic balancer seal and a quart of Marvel Mystery oil to soften the rest of the motor's seals? Then, worse case scenario and it still leaks buckets, I agree, I'd pull motor. It's his money and time, not yours. Good luck! Pulling a v8 is not easy for the layman. Great for shops at 200 bucks an hour. Yes this maybe a simple fix and PATCH and you disagree. I've done this fix too many times over the decades.
 

MagKarl

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Jan 18, 2021
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I'm about ready to start this oil pan gasket replacement job after the holidays. I've found what I believe is the main leak source in one of the front corners, thinking a 1 piece gasket is a good upgrade there. Several different gasket options, are some better than others? Fair to assume this gasket doesn't need to be "marine "?

I will be pulling the motor out and flipping it on a stand, what else while it's out?

No other leaks that I'm aware of in front or rear seals or timing cover. Smart to replace those or leave well enough alone?
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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I'm about ready to start this oil pan gasket replacement job after the holidays. I've found what I believe is the main leak source in one of the front corners, thinking a 1 piece gasket is a good upgrade there. Several different gasket options, are some better than others? Fair to assume this gasket doesn't need to be "marine "?

I will be pulling the motor out and flipping it on a stand, what else while it's out?

No other leaks that I'm aware of in front or rear seals or timing cover. Smart to replace those or leave well enough alone?
Check if oil pan or timing cover has corrosion on it, if severe may need replacement
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,.... Ya can't go wrong with Fel-Pro,....
 

kenny nunez

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The 1 piece gaskets that have metal slugs to prevent over tightening are the best and all the major gasket manufacturers make them. The timing cover was never painted under the harmonic balancer so it should be also replaced also.
Try to run the engine on the stand before re installing to make there are no other leaks.
 

brian3127

Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 10, 2007
Messages
507
I hate the 4-piece gaskets, one-piece ones are the way to go.
sorry for high jacking this thread but quick question. i have a 1978 engine can i use the one piece gasket on my engine or does it have to be the 4 piece.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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sorry for high jacking this thread but quick question. i have a 1978 engine can i use the one piece gasket on my engine or does it have to be the 4 piece.
Suggest always starting your own thread. Hoewever yes, if you have an sbc, felpro makes a single gasket for both the 1-piece RMS and 2-piece RMS blocks
 
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