The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 leaky timing cover?

Hey All

I think I have a leaky timing cover but I wanted to ask the experts.
sadly this engine has about 3k miles on it after a rebuild.

I dont think its the front seal leaking.

Note the green oil right by the left bolt at the bottom. I just changed the oil about a half hour before I pulled the front pulley off. The engine hasnt been run since I changed the oil.

pictures
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/118219121658359708127/albums/6032377299461413441

and yeah, hindsight, not putting studs in for the two bottom timing cover bolts. sigh, now I have to pull the pan.

Hy Jay_Brown, green oil? Are you sure you don't have a coolant leak?

Looks like coolant to me, too.

yes, green oil.
brad penn oil. the good stuff

i just went out and looked at my engine again.
I drained the radiator before removing it, but it is possible that when I took out the heater hose some coolant leaked and ran down the side of the timing cover.

but my original question remains.

based on the oil pattern, does this look like a front seal or a timing cover leak?
there isnt any oil/dirt buildup around the actual seal.

I have a speedy sleeve I can use, and I can change the gaskets while Im at it. I will probably do everything. but its still a mystery to me where the oil is coming from.

I've removed the pan, and timing cover.
I've also tapped the front main and drilled the timing cover so I don't have to remove the pan if I need to take the timing cover off again.

that being said, with the amount of work needed to get the timing cover off, i.e. pulling the entire front of the truck off, pulling the pan is not that much more work.