Please help, car is leaking oil like a sieve!

[5.0 Fiend]

Got my car to start today, and found a BIG problem. Right above my water pump there is a puddle of oil accumulating within a minutes or so time. It looks like it is leaking from the intake manifold, but that isnt possible, is it? Or it could be leaking form the corner of the driver's side head, (is this common?). If my head gasket was bad, wouldnt I see oil in my radiator? Or just coolant in my oil? Would the heads off of an 88gt efi work on my car?

[sedanman]

It could be leaking out the intake (not real common) or it could be leaking out around the dist. but usually there is not enough oil present there to leak like you speak of. Could be a couple of other things too. Maybe valvecover on that corner or timming chain cover.

As for the headgasket it is possible. You usually get some coolant in the oil. And if you watch in the radiator you can sometimes see the antifreeze bubble.

Heads off a 88 Gt will work on your car and add more power. However don't do this if you have a cam or plan to put a cam in it because you will most likely have PV (piston to valve) clearence issues since your motor should have flat top pistons where 87+ motors have valve releifs.

[stang_racer20]

Your oil leak is one of two things. Either the front intake seal has pushed out and is leaking from the lifter valley. Or the disributor o-ring could be worn out and oil is then sprayed up and out to that area. It's most likely the front intake gasket though because of how fast you say its coming out. You should be able to see if the gasket has pushed out. It's not likely that the head gaskets are leaking cause then the oil would have a tendency to leak down towards the headers. However do a compression check on at least that cylinder. That will tell you if you have a leaking head gasket or something else for that matter.

Also, if and when you reseal it if that is the problem do not use replacement cork gaskets for the front and rear intake seals. Use a large bead of silicone across the mating surfaces for a good seal.

[5.0 Fiend]

Well, I sprayed the area down with brake cleaner, took it for a run and came back. It's leaking from the intake manifold, a piece of gasket pushed it's way out, I am going to get a new gasket, and one for the distributor shaft while I am at it. How many gaskets are there on the intake manifold? Is it just one, or a couple? What kind of gaskets should I get?

[Dark_5.0]

Dont use a gasket for the front or back of the lower intake manifold. Use silicone and allow it to dry completely before running the car.

Here is the torque sequence for the lower intake tighten the bolts in this order. Tighten them to 25 ft lbs go through the torque sequence twice. Screw all of the bolts down and make sure the intake is straight before you torque them.

7.......8
3.......2
11.....10
9........12
1........4
5.........6

[Hozer 88GTConv]

I thought you should torque the lower intake manifold bolts to 24 ft/lbs in 3 increments. 15 lbs, 20 lbs, then 24 lbs.
Hmmm....

[stang_racer20]

Originally posted by stang_racer20
Also, if and when you reseal it if that is the problem do not use replacement cork gaskets for the front and rear intake seals. Use a large bead of silicone across the mating surfaces for a good seal.

Like i said.....but nobody listens to me

[Dark_5.0]

Originally posted by Hozer 88GTConv
I thought you should torque the lower intake manifold bolts to 24 ft/lbs in 3 increments. 15 lbs, 20 lbs, then 24 lbs.
Hmmm....

I dont think it would matter much. But my haynes book says 25 ft lbs. I always go through the torque sequence twice.

[sedanman]

I agree always torque twice. Also make sure you lay down a fat bead of silicone! For some reason I have found that the gray works awsome don't ask me why.

[5.0 Fiend]

t

[5.0 Fiend]

my posts keep screwing up,, I'll write later.