50-60lbs at idle. 70 lbs when running. This is a new engine. Runs great, but I have an oil leak now from the back of the engine. Can't tell if it's comming from the pan, or the rear seal. Oil collects on the back of the pan. Intake, Dist. are all dry. I think this excessive pressure is maybe causing my leak. I am using 10w30 oil. Anywhere else you can think to look for possible causes? Thanks very much, rb6667

I ran into this problem with a 350 I built about 2 years ago,and the fine men on this site helped me out. I was running a high pressure oil pump,and I was getting readings like you are. It was pushing oil out off the back of the intake,I guess that was the weakest point. I was not running any kind of PCV or breather of any kind and I think that was adding to my problem. I changed oil pumps, resealed the intake and ran the proper ventilation. Ran fine after that. Hope that sheds some light.

How new is the engine? You may loose a few pounds after it's been broken in. IMHO, it's not too much pressure. Mine cold will get up around 75-80, warm holds 55-60. I'd leave it alone, except for finding the oil leak. I'd suspect the rear intake seal, a usual culprit with chevy engines.

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Sid Coleman, 71 Ragtop
TC (Gold) #174, MCC #347,
Aces #5457, N3JHV@bellatlantic.net

Oil pressure doesn't usually relate to a leak as the pressure is in the oiling system itself, not in the pan, or under the manifold, or even against the rear seal, etc. I personnaly preffer mine on the high side 60-70 psi.

Check the oil pressure sender, there is a place where you can have a leak that is under pressure.

You didn't say which engine you have. If it is a BB they are notorious for leaks where the rail gaskets meet the end seals unless you get it installed perfectly. I have had problems in the past several times that I blamed on the rear main seal but it turned out to be the area I have mentioned. Felpro now makes a one piece gasket that I now swear by I will never use anything else.

i have a similar problem with my bb, last owner rebuilt it about a year ago, and the engine is probably no more than 3000 miles. Once i get over 2krpm, it will get oil all over the fuel pump, and i will have a fresh smell of oil on headers. My oil pressure gague on my dash also fell off after it kept banging on high http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

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Alan

1969 Chevelle SS396 (http://216.71.10.3/mychevelle/)

[This message has been edited by slpin (edited 01-11-2003).]

This is a SB Guys, should have mentioned that. It is very new, maybe 100 miles since break-in. I am running a high volume pump. The oil does not appear to be comming from the back of the intake, dist, or sending unit. I am running the L-79 type oil filler tube with the PCV valve screwed into the side. L-79 valve covers with no breather. The top of the engine is dry as is the top of the bellhousing. Oil collects on the back bottom lip of the pan. I resealed the ends of the pan gasket with sealer and bolted it back up. Still have that leak though. I am to the point now where I am thinking rear seal or maybe the cam plug. Just wish I could tell where in the world the leak is at. Sure don't want to pull that engine out if I am overlooking something. Thanks for all the replies. rb6667