Stubborn/elusive oil leaks-aluminum block

[ERA Chas]

While your enjoying you 'cavity search' -
I had a thread a few weeks ago about pan sealing tips from engine builders and got a lot of help. It's in the FE forum.
Barry helped me identify that the source of the oil was the oil pressure relief valve at the drivers rear of the block, just above the pan rail. It drains constantly hot or cold. Coupled with a pan rail that was not flat and poor gasket/silicone/fasteners technique was the reason for my pain.
All better now.
See here:
Engine Builders-favorite oil pan sealing tips?

[rokndad]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

While your enjoying you 'cavity search' -
I had a thread a few weeks ago about pan sealing tips from engine builders and got a lot of help. It's in the FE forum.
Barry helped me identify that the source of the oil was the oil pressure relief valve at the drivers rear of the block, just above the pan rail. It drains constantly hot or cold. Coupled with a pan rail that was not flat and poor gasket/silicone/fasteners technique was the reason for my pain.
All better now.
See here:
Engine Builders-favorite oil pan sealing tips?

Chas, I recall seeing your thread, but since I don't seem to have leaks from the pan, I'm going to leave it alone. If I do have to remove it, then I'll follow your lead. I was curious to know if the pan can come off and clear that rear crossmember on a CSX car without lifting up the engine, while still clearing the crank counterweights. I'm assuming an ERA is pretty much the same as mine. I'll have to wait until I need to do that job to find out.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by rokndad

Chas, I recall seeing your thread, but since I don't seem to have leaks from the pan, I'm going to leave it alone. If I do have to remove it, then I'll follow your lead. I was curious to know if the pan can come off and clear that rear crossmember on a CSX car without lifting up the engine, while still clearing the crank counterweights. I'm assuming an ERA is pretty much the same as mine. I'll have to wait until I need to do that job to find out.

Dad,
Not giving you any advice, just merely offering the information of the helpful guys that answered my thread. Hope it helps you too.
No, the ERA rectangular tube chassis has no crossmember under the pan-which was the only saving grace about my toil. The CSX has the round tube ladder style chassis and apparently the crossmember may interfere with pan removal. Hope a CSX guy chimes in about clearance.
Better yet, I hope your pan seal is not part of the problem.

[Ronbo]

Chase the threads with a tap, clean with carb spray, then PST or better yet blue loctite.

Never had a problem with loctite'ed galley plugs.