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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 27 | Hi all just wondering I have a 39 chevy pickup with a 216. The problem is when I shut it off the oil starts leaking fast but the goes to a drip.i know there's no seal but not sure what to do to stop the leak any help would be great. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | It is true that Chevrolet did not use a rear seal until 1940.
That said I would start by pulling the pan and checking main bearing clearances. If the rear main has too much clearance it can leak oil pressure/oil out faster than it can drain back into the pan. I would also make sure the drain back hole is not sludged up.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 27 | Ya I'm not sure ill be keeping the motor in the truck now.pushing me to put the small block in it. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | .....pushing me to put the small block in it. People tell me I need to put a small block in my '38. I tell them it already HAS a small block in it (original 216).  Seriously though it's your vehicle so do as you wish but IMHO when you go to a show you see row after row of lowered, small block Chevy powered hot rods of differing colors. Boring. Then there's my stock '38 sitting tall and proud. Every year as folks turn original cars/trucks into hotrods there are fewer originals & the values rise accordingly. I can't believe what Grundy says my car is worth compared to just a few years ago. To each his own. Just remember it's only original once.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | Ya I'm not sure ill be keeping the motor in the truck now.pushing me to put the small block in it. Yeah, that's just the sign of laziness and ignorance (of older engines) coupled with a herd mentality talking...  Dare to be different! (warning: will require much more patience!)
Give me ambiguity
or give me something else
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 27 | @caso the whole plan was to put the small block in it but wanted to drive the way it is with the 216. I'm far from lazy so you close your yapper if you don't know.just wanted to know if there was a way to fix it for now. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | There is a little ball in the rear main cap that functions as a check valve. If it gets stuck it will cause a leak. The 38 shop manual describes how to free it from the outside using a rod and a hammer.
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