New engine oil leak

[K5Blazerboy87]

Hi guys so I just installed a new 350 crate from west coast engines back in July and I noticed from the cardboard I put under heath I noticed its leaking some oil its spotty by patterns on cardboard uhh noticed coming back from starter dripping off that and back off by flex plate cover it's not super bad but it shouldnt be leaking at all its a new engine any body have an idea why this occurring I'm running 10w-30 conventional Valvoline, Im following break in instructions correctly I only have 961 miles on this motor.

 

[Frankenchevy]

check easier stuff first. oil pressure sending unit, distributor gasket, intake seal at rear china wall, valve covers, etc. hopefully its not the RMS...

 

[SquareRoot]

Retighten oil pan bolts. Same thing happened to me and I was pissed. I guess it's a heat cycle thing that caused them to be finger tight after a few hundred miles. IDK. I expect it with header bolts but not the oil pan. Also used the reusuable blue rubber gasket. Don't know if thats the issue cause I never had paper or cork gaskets back off.

 

[Craig 85]

I got a rebuilt long block 454 from GM recently. I had some similar issues. I had installed the same blue pan gasket. I had minor leaks. Once I re-tightened the bolts, it stopped.

 

[K5Blazerboy87]

Thanks guys will do check

 

[K5Blazerboy87]

Should I install a new oil pan gasket if so what kinda reusable rubber or cork

 

[donnieray]

I recommend the one piece gasket. I used felpro. But would sure try to get it to stop leaking before pulling the engine to change it. Just my opinion.

 

[SquareRoot]

I fixed it by using the felpro 1 piece gasket. I cleaned the pan and block surfaces with acetone and used a dab of black silicone at the corners of the rear bearing cap.