Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

[larry1167]

I installed a new Chevy 350 in my boat about 2 years ago. After breaking it in and putting the boat away for the winter(6 months), I noticed a few small drops of oil in the bilge when I got it ready for spring. I ran my finger along the gasket between the timing cover and the oil pan. When doing this, I get oil on my finger. The engine runs fine and my oil pressure is good. I have heard that this issue is somewhat common for Chevy 350's. I spent a lot of time installing this engine myself and don't want to pull the engine and remove the stern drive again. Here's the question... If I monitor this leak, actually it's more like a seap, and it does not get worse, should I just try to forget about it? It really bothers me because I spent the money to purchase a new engine and it leaks. Very frustrating. My boat is an '87 with an OMC Cobra stern drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

No, it's not common. You either have a leaky gasket, or a pin hole from rust in the cover.
Ignore it if you want, but it won't heal, and it will put oil in your bilge, then when your bilge pump comes on, it will pump oil out.
You have a leak, be responsible and fix it. Don't pump it overboard for everyone else.

 

[larry1167]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

Don- The only time oil drips into the bilge area is when the boat is stored for the winter. When I use the boat during the summer I don't see any oil in the bilge area. I haven't had to turn my bilge on the entire time I've had the boat (3 years) so I know that water is not washing it away. My boat is very dry.

 

[Don S]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

You didn't mention all that in your original post.
If it doesn't drip when it's running, then it's not a leak. Since there is no oil in that area except when it's running. If it only drips when stored for the winter, are you sure it's not your corrosion guard dripping?

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

On sbc timing covers, with the original chevy gasket, the bolts dimple the tin when torqued as the gasket is soft and the cover is flimsy. Anytime it's removed and reinstalled, one should hammer back the dimpled areas around all the bolt holes where the tin was depressed and a new gasket used. I've seen some seep when people didn't hammer the tin flat or reused a gasket. I've fixed a couple seepers in place with a hammer and punch. Whether relevant or not depends on what the "new engine" was- a whole engine- then this is moot. if a Long or short block, then relevant - one would usually not have to pull an engine to r&i a timing cover unless hull designer was cruel....

 

[Robj]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

Put an oil absorbent pad under the area and monitor it.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[larry1167]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

kjdkjd- The timing cover was installed by the company I bought it from. From your comments, it appears that they may have tourqued the bolts too hard or the seal is just poor? I can get the timing cover off without removing the engine but I have heard that to get a good seal, it's best to remove the oil pan too. Removing my oil pan might be tough without pulling the engine. I may not have enough room to work in my bilge area. I have a low profile ski boat. Will I ruin anything by running this engine with this seep? I continue to monitor it closely. It hasn't gotten any worse yet.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

I have the same problem with my 350. Not a large leak but it does get into the bilge after running it. Never leaks enough to add oil but yes, someday I will have to fix it. I typically get some water in my bilge, not much as it hardly ever primes the bilge. I take my boat in and then out after use and then pull the plug and let it out. On mine it looks like I have enough clearance to do this without removing the motor. Removing the pan would be tough.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

From Larry1167

a few small drops of oil in the bilge when I got it ready for spring

Robj has the right idea, but I wouldn't even go that far. It's so minor that it's not even worth thinking about.

 

[larry1167]

Re: Chevy(OMC) 350 Engine - Oil leak at timing cover

Thanks to all that replied. All information helped.