The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Bad oil leak on my 1949 Chevy Truck 216

I drive my 1949 Chevy Truck about a 100 miles per weekend. I have to put a quart of oil in every 300 miles or so. It isn't smoking, but underneath the pan and vent tube side its all oily. I've had all the gaskets replaced. It runs great, I put about 4,000 miles a year on it just running around. I want to correct this, can this be done, or do I need to rebuild the engine? Where's it leaking all the oil from?? SIG

I have seen many times where lock washers were used on the fuel pump mounting bolts and oil wicks out the bolts and through the split in the washers.
I have also seen where the fuel pump arm pivot pin has come loose in the housing allowing oil to leak out.
Just two of many possibilities.

Put sheets of newspaper under it when it's parked to see if its really leaking, and maybe from where.

When new, those 216 engines did normally use about 1 quart per 1000 miles, so honestly --- it also took a long time to break those rings in , and 1 quart per 300 miles wasn't unusual for breakin-in.
If you can't find the leak, and it runs OK, I would live with the quart of oil when needed. Cheaper than a rebuild. But check your compression just to be sure.

Also have a look at the front right bottom of the motor to see if the oil is leaking out the front and blowing back along the side.

Mine's always wet. Misted on the top and bottom. No dripping other than the vent tube tho. I've heard before that 'if a 216 isn't wet, you're out of oil.'