Oil Drip Locations (w/ pics)

Cipriano · Jul 13, 2026

I thought my main leak was the stripped oil pan bolt, but I addressed that issue with a piggyback valve and some JB Weld. Seems to be working nicely.

I've now isolated the drips to two locations as pictured. The first is behind the oil pan, out of a tiny hole in the assembly between engine oil pan and transmission fluid pan. The second is from the bottom of the new starter.

From these two locations can a leak source be guessed at? Thanks in advance!

Sad Sack · Jul 13, 2026

If it's oil, then worst case scenario...rear main seal.
Drop the Torque Convertor Cover and inspect. Also look to see if anything is seeping down the back of the engine to that location. Clean engine, add UV dye and check. Since it's a '76 with 2 piece rear main seal I would, after the inspection process, consider adding some of this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVW1LM/

Fixed a small drip for me...

Ricko1966 · Jul 14, 2026

Look at the oil pressure switch at the back of the engine under the distributor. Misdiagnosed as rear main leak very often.

Radiohead · Jul 14, 2026

Ricko1966 said:
Look at the oil pressure switch at the back of the engine under the distributor. Misdiagnosed as rear main leak very often.

Would be nice if that's all it is. I certainly hope so.

CalSgt · Jul 14, 2026

Honestly…. Most oil leaks drip from the same locations because it will run down from wherever until it finds the lowest point to drip from.

ali_c20 · Jul 14, 2026

Valve cover leak can look like main seal too. Ask me how I know

xm20k · Jul 14, 2026

Valve covers, distributor, oil sender, and China wall all like to appear as rear main. Pull the converter cover and look up in-between the flex plate and block to verify rear main.

goldpack · Jul 14, 2026

I would spray simple green type degreaser and scrub off what you can,

and add some of this all purpose dye for oils / fuels into the oil

https://amzn.to/4vtzUXW

I have had a bottle like this one on my shelf for 20 years,..as I use very very little. (works just like the a/c coolant type) used it on oil, transmission fluid, gasoline....makes it easy to find missing rubber bits of gasket seals, or porous rust as it glows.

problem with just adding oil sealer, vs. fixing the leaking oil seal or living with the leak. the oil seal products can make for lifter tapping,...and whatever small parts can get slugging in them.

bookit · 2026-07-21T14:52:11-0400

Like the other experts say make sure it is your rear main seal, if it is and you have wear on the seal lip groove area, there is an offset rear main seal offered.
I used the offset seal on my 1980 and the i also spent the extra money for the one-piece oil pan gasket and after 3 years no drips, the one piece pam gasket helps to seal the joints where the cork and neoprene 'leaked' i mean joined at the front and rear of the engine that combination helped me to stop 5 different oil slobber points and outright leaks. DAC

Oil Drip Locations (w/ pics)

Cipriano

Junior Member

Attachments

Sad Sack

Supporting Member

Ricko1966

Full Access Member

Radiohead

That guy on the Columbia

CalSgt

Full Access Member

ali_c20

Supporting Member

xm20k

Runs on 93 octane, caffeine, and spite

goldpack

Full Access Member

bookit

Junior Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Forum statistics