Changed oil pan gasket, still leaking

[38plymouth]

I finally got around to changing the pan gasket. A two hour job turned into an all day job because I decided to clean the outside of the pan and repaint it. Since I had to wait for the paint to dry I lowered the rearend 3/4 of an inch so the car sits more level. I don't think the pan gasket leaks at all anymore but something is leaking between the transmission and the engine still. It drips out of the little hole in the flywheel cover still, is that a rear seal? At least I got to clean out the pan, although it wasn't as dirty as I expected.

[david lazarus]

I would pick it being your rear engine seal, or possibly a bit can pass through from the gearbox, if over filled.

[greg g]

Main seal is a big weak point in these cars. Also there should be a gasket between the transmission and the bellhousing. If it is missing the gear lube will leak out the gear axle rods.

The rear seal is an impregnated rope deal so it is not the best it could be.

Don't think of them as leaks, think of them as your car marking its territory.

[grey beard]

Wellllllll, actually there are twp different types of rear main seals used. Ealy ones were rope and tended to leak often. Later ones - 51 and up or thereabouts - were neoprene and sealed much better. Bad news is that the two do not interchange due to differences in the block machining at the rear main bearing cap area. Also, the rope seal can be replaced with the oil pan off, while replacing the neoprene seal requires removal of the flywheel to get to the upper half - bummer.