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magnethead · 02-24-2005, 09:11 PM

The 454 started leaking oil today, making a bit of a burning oil smell, like oil is leaking out from under the valve covers onto the headers.

Why doesn't this surprise me? My dad says the whole time we've owned the truck, the engine hasn't been touched (except alternator, belt, & the such). I assume valve cover gaskets fall under that category.

keep in mind, thats 15 years in my life alone, we've had it bout 4 years before I was born. So a good 19 years on a set of valve cover gaskets....I dare ask what it would look like if we pulled the intake with the valve covers...replace em all at once.

magnethead · 02-24-2005, 09:26 PM

I'm afraid to ask what we'd find if we pulled the truck out of commision for a bit and pulled the carb, intake, valve covers, and cylinder heads off. hmmm an almost 28 year old engine with >19 year old gaskets on everything...and it still runs with full load!

cochran63 · 02-24-2005, 11:39 PM

I would just replace the valve cover gaskets and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesnt then try something else.

**N2TRUX** · 02-24-2005, 11:44 PM

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing. If those seals and gaskets have held up this long, do not touch them. I afraid you might start a chain effect that wouldn't be good....

magnethead · 02-25-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing. If those seals and gaskets have held up this long, do not touch them. I afraid you might start a chain effect that wouldn't be good....

like say, more MPG maybe and less burned oil (although it don't really burn that much for it's age...)

So just replace the valve cover gaskets and see if that fixes it?

jimfulco · 02-27-2005, 12:23 AM

Does it actually have gaskets or is there just a wispy bead of silicone? If there's a cork gasket, try gently turning the bolts tighter. Sometimes they'll need a quarter-turn or so, & that may stop the leak. If it's silicone, put some real gaskets on it.

magnethead · 02-28-2005, 06:14 PM

here's a couple pics with the air cleaner off...

not sure what it has...far as I know, the motor is 98% stock.

magnethead · 02-28-2005, 06:19 PM

Few More...

magnethead · 02-28-2005, 06:24 PM

and last 2...

magnethead · 02-28-2005, 06:29 PM

You can see the "battery holddown" cord at the bottom of pic 6, the hydroboost system on the master cylinder, the 3 pics of the carbs, and the valve covers/headers. Also, on the choke butterfly, it had the number 3602 stamped on it with like a pair of 6's over a pair of 9' or something...couldn't tell.

02-24-2005, 09:11 PM	#1
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	how long can you go? The 454 started leaking oil today, making a bit of a burning oil smell, like oil is leaking out from under the valve covers onto the headers. Why doesn't this surprise me? My dad says the whole time we've owned the truck, the engine hasn't been touched (except alternator, belt, & the such). I assume valve cover gaskets fall under that category. keep in mind, thats 15 years in my life alone, we've had it bout 4 years before I was born. So a good 19 years on a set of valve cover gaskets....I dare ask what it would look like if we pulled the intake with the valve covers...replace em all at once. Last edited by magnethead; 02-28-2005 at 06:33 PM.

02-24-2005, 11:39 PM	#3
cochran63 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,057	I would just replace the valve cover gaskets and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesnt then try something else. __________________ Youth soon passes away, but immaturity can last a life time.

02-24-2005, 11:44 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Yeah I'm thinking the same thing. If those seals and gaskets have held up this long, do not touch them. I afraid you might start a chain effect that wouldn't be good.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-28-2005, 06:14 PM	#7
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	here's a couple pics with the air cleaner off... not sure what it has...far as I know, the motor is 98% stock. Attached Images

02-28-2005, 06:19 PM	#8
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	Few More... Attached Images

02-24-2005, 09:26 PM	#2
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	I'm afraid to ask what we'd find if we pulled the truck out of commision for a bit and pulled the carb, intake, valve covers, and cylinder heads off. hmmm an almost 28 year old engine with >19 year old gaskets on everything...and it still runs with full load!

02-27-2005, 12:23 AM	#6
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Does it actually have gaskets or is there just a wispy bead of silicone? If there's a cork gasket, try gently turning the bolts tighter. Sometimes they'll need a quarter-turn or so, & that may stop the leak. If it's silicone, put some real gaskets on it.

02-28-2005, 06:24 PM	#9
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	and last 2... Attached Images

02-28-2005, 06:29 PM	#10
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	You can see the "battery holddown" cord at the bottom of pic 6, the hydroboost system on the master cylinder, the 3 pics of the carbs, and the valve covers/headers. Also, on the choke butterfly, it had the number 3602 stamped on it with like a pair of 6's over a pair of 9' or something...couldn't tell. Last edited by magnethead; 02-28-2005 at 06:32 PM.



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