The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 HELP...PLEASE!!

I just put a 1958 235 in another ’51, 3100 Chev. The engine was rebuilt by and engine builder in Spokane, WA. When I started the engine, it had a big oil leak at the front of the engine. I changed the Timing Cover Gasket and still had the oil leak. Today I changed the oil pan gasket and still have the leak There is no oil on the harmonic balancer or the bottom of the timing cover. The valve cover does not leak and neither does the side cover. I am assuming that the oil leak is from the engine front mounting plate and I need to pull the camshaft to remove the plate or even see if there are loose bolts/screws. Can the camshaft be removed with the grill in place? I just read a recent post on here (I think) that said that the crankshaft gear needs to broken to get it off. Is this true? My Chevrolet Truck Manual says that the crank gear can be pulled with a puller. What is the case?

I need questions and comments…PLEASE.

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

Before doing anaything dramatic, check the simple stuff first. If it appears to be leaking in the front, I would verify that the timing gear cover is actually snugged up. If memory serves, two bottom bolts are secured differently than the others. I believe they have securing nuts that can only be accessed with the oil pan dropped. Often they loosen, but it is not obvious. Others I'm sure will either provide more specific advice or correct me if I'm offbase. However, if I ever drop the oil pan on my 261, I will drill & tap those holes so they are like the rest.

"verify that the timing gear cover is actually snugged up."

Thanks for the fast comeback. I Have checked all the possibilities with the truck up on a rack. The leak appears to be coming from the mounting plate. Thanks again.

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

Kennewick!!! Right on, it is nice to see another Washington bolter on here. I don't have a tip or anything, sorry. Good Luck!

Kyle

i'm in the process of rebuilding a 261...one thing i noticed while putting timing cover on is when i tightened up one of the screws on cover it was seperating the plate from block...had to clean out the gunk at the bottom of that hole...then i put an extra washer on that hole..looked like a good seal after that..

If you can manage it, you should try sticking something really thin up between the plate and the block to see if there is a space. With all these parts being separated in a shop, maybe stored for a while, something like a plate could get bent a little.

As far as the crankshaft gear goes, I believe that the original gear had two threaded holes for a puller but some replacement gears don't.

I had a persistant leak from the front oil galley plug on a 56 261 block. I finally found the leak and found a small freeze plug was in it to seal it, but had started leaking. I tried several things to stop it and finally notice on a 62 block I have that the galley was sealed with a threaded plug. I removed the freeze plug and installed a threaded plug. Problem solved.

Check that front oil galley plug on the left side of the block just left of the timing cover and front engine plate.

Hope this helps!

Joe

if i remember right from when i tore apart the 235 out of my 55 2nd series that you can not take the timing gear cover off without droping the oil pan cause there was two bolts that screwed in from the inside out other wise its posible that there might be oil in the bolt holes that would make the bolts losen from the vibration from the engine its not likely but hey anythings posible
Nate

Looks like success!! I pulled the radiator, swung the alternator out of the way, removed the fan pullley and removed all the screws from the timing cover that could come in contact with the block. After a thorough cleaning, I put put a bead of Hi-Temp RTV on the mating surfaces of the block and mounting plate and let it sit overnight. I then put lock washers on the screws and reinstalled them and reinstalled everything. It now has about 25 miles on it and no leak...so far.

Thanks to all that posted and I owe you all at least one of your favorite beverages.

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

Theres almost enough of us in WA to get our own column now, right?

Congrats on gettin her fixed! My old 216 pukes oil all over but the seals are 53 years old so im gettin my moneys worth!

Jeff