Today was the big day! The radiator and valve cover are installed, all the fluids changed, etc. Even though the windchill was about 8 degrees, I went for a cruise. I only went about 8 miles, but it's a start at least. Taught my 16 year old sister to drive it, and she enjoyed it. Truck ran like a champ, but just before I parked it in the barn, I let it idle in the driveway for a max of 2 minutes. I crawled underneath to check for oil, and unfortunately, there were about 10 tiny oil drips, (wind blown) under the flywheel area. Guess my rear main ain't holding anymore. This is the first time it's leaked. Yesterday I let it idle outside for about 10 minutes, to get to temp and make sure the radiator wasn't going to leak. It never leaked then, and all was dry underneath. Today there was a tiny drop hanging off the rear main bearing/seal retainer cap. I was told it might be oil leaking down the back of the valve cover, since I still used the old gasket. (I have a new one, but I'll put it on after I set the valves the next time I get it hot). I'll have to check that tomorrow.
When I parked in the barn tonight, I hurried and pulled the pan plug and drained the oil. It was gray looking and had a metallic sheen to it. I've read in some places on the internet that it's normal, as the rings break in, but I've also read it's not. I'm just unsure. I've rebuilt 2 small 4 cylinder gas tractor engines and never had anything like this happen. I did make sure to use plenty of assembly lube on all the rod bearings when I put them back together. I also honed the cylinders, but I washed them out vigorously with a rag and some diesel. (But maybe not enough???) Always worked well in the past, but maybe my bearings are getting shredded by some of the "world's finest lapping compound"? I sure hope not. Any advice/opinions? Thanks!
