Thread: Oil leak ??

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Hey guys,
Oil Primed my 283 and found oil coming from the "cam plug" I think that's what it's called? The plug was installed at the machine shop after the block was tanked. Curious to any suggestions on the best way to fix it? I'd sure hate to disassemble

I've read to remove a freeze plug...Use a center punch and drive a hole in the center of the plug and then pry the plug out. How close is the camshaft? will I run the risk of hitting the camshaft behind the plug? Do you need a tool to reinstall a new plug?

Sometimes that plug gets knocked loose when you install the cam. Try using a large socket and tapping it in a bit. If it moves much, it probably will seal again.

clean it good and run a bead of black sealer around it. be sure its all the way in, ping around it with a punch.

Thanks everyone.
I'll give all those suggestions a try.
Are these tapered holes in the block? Is that what tightens the plug, or
is it the plug expanding while being tapped in?

I'm a little reluctant to put a bead of RTV around the plug. If I do that, I'm sure it will seal...but for how long?, with the engine running at temperature and full oil pressure. Of course at that point in time the engine will be in the car.

I will try to press it in a little more and take it from there. How much room do I have before I hit the camshaft? Speaking of which...What holds the camshaft in position? As I recall I slid it in, attached the sprocket and chain and thats it. Is the chain the only thing that keeps the shaft from wondering?

that bead of rtv will be there as long as the motor last. use red or black.

Originally Posted by lt1s10

that bead of rtv will be there as long as the motor last. use red or black.

The plug is leaking oil just hanging on the stand. So if I clean it real good and apply the RTV...the RTV is what will make the seal. You don't believe the bead of RTV will eventually loosen? Heat cycles, vibrations, oil pressure etc.

Is your suggestion to put a bead of RTV around the existing plug? Or put a bead of RTV on a new plug?

Originally Posted by DennyW

If it's to easy, replace it. Sounds like they didn't get it square when they first installed it. Or, Maybe, just a bad plug.

Thanks for the info on freeze plugs.

Any tricks of the trade to getting the plug out easily?
I don't have a plug installer, can I get by with something else?

The plug was square and flush with the block. I Tapped it in a little further, about a 1/16th of an inch (It moved fairly easy).
BTW The plug is 2 7/64th.
Still leaks?

they should have sealed it when they knocked it in. they are made to go in pretty easy, but hard to get out. it must have a dent in it.

BTW for anybody that may have similar questions down the road...
The distance from the edge of the block to the cam is about .450
There is a lip at about .420 so the plug can't be driven in beyond that. But you can't drive the plug to the lip because the plug is bowed out so the center of the plug would hit the cam shaft before the outside edge came in contact with the lip in the block.

Originally Posted by DennyW

Not all engines are the same, and not all freeze plugs install the way you have yours. Just so people know.

Very true! The specs I mentioned are for a stock 1965 Chevy 283.
I have found many answers to questions by using the search engine. My intent is to help others that may have similar questions. Being I don't have experience to offer I can at least provide details to my issues as they come along.

Denny do you have any thoughts on your previous post mentioning "setting the cam distance"? I really don't want to go any further not knowing if I missed something. I did not set the cam to any reference whatsoever. Thanks again for all your help.

you asked the right questions and made the right decision ,by replacing the plug. ask a lot of questions and then go with your gut feeling and most of the time you'll be ok.