Rear Main Seal cross member

[jolobo64]

This is post is actually a continuation of a previous post but for some reason I cannot access my old post.

Anyway small block 350 on chevy c10, oil leak all the usual suspects are ok which bring to the two possible suspects.

1 rear oil pan seal
2 rear main seal

1st time I had a refutable garage replace rear oil pan ( three piece style, on the rear oil pan seal I used also RTV) and also replaced the rear main seal(rubber style)but when checking after driving oil is still on the dust cover and starter.

2nd time I did it myself but I used one piece oil pan gasket ( on the rear oil pan seal part I did not put any RTV) and rear main seal was Fluoroelastomer material. After checking same oil leak problem is still there.

After removing oil pump etc and looking at the rear main seal seemed nice and dry.

Now I have heard different opinions on what is best oil pan gasket thats why I tried both. Now my theory is there is a problem with the (see pic) bracket( between main bearing cap and oil pump) that connects to oil pump is pitted so where the rear oil pan gasket goes into the slot its leaking from there. Could those pits cause that problem?

Another thing can the oil pan be removed without pulling the engine? I ask this because I can get the oil pan down of course but not fully removed because it will not slide across the cross member. I would like to get it down so I can put the oil pan gasket on while its down and see how the oil pan gasket is setting in the pan and the oil pump bracket.