68 Roadster 2000 Oil Leak

[halvernaz]

I have a 68 2000 with an oil leak. It looks like it's draining out where the transmission mates up to the engine.

Can it be something other than the rear main seal!!!

Any suggestion on what to check. I've looked around and the top of the engine is dry, everything is happing on the bottom. If I leave it running it'll leave a little spot pretty quickly. Doesn't seem to leak when it's not running.

Thanks
Henry

[greydog]

Sorry Henry, if it's engine oil, it's pretty much gotta be the rear mai.
Dan

[halvernaz]

It's motor oil.

[halvernaz]

Any recommendations on where I could get that work done in San Diego or Orange County CA.

[theunz]

Henry, you do realize that it’s an engine out and almost completely disassembled repair don’t you. Unless it’s really bad, or you want to refresh your engine anyway you might want to live with it. Another option is to use a engine diaper. Yeah, there really is such a thing!

[halvernaz]

Has anyone used one of these "engine diaper" on a Datsun, if so where did you buy it and what model works.

Thanks

[nismou20]

There is a void about 1.5 inch between trans and engine where you could cram a micro fiber towel rolled up into. Let the edge of towel tuck into a slit just at center between the two. Oil will wick up into towel and not drip on floor. If you want to get creative attach pieces of coat hanger wire to the 2 bolts that hold plate to trans and bend them to hold the rag in place.

[Gregs672000]

Anyone have success using an off the shelf chemical sealer?

[nismou20]

I have used several brands with no success.

[Gregs672000]

Bummer. Mine have never leaked, until this one. That will teach me to follow directions...

[C.Costine]

Anyone have success using an off the shelf chemical sealer?

Greg, those engine stop leaks work by causing rubber or neoprene seals to swell slightly thus stopping the leak, though it is of course temporary. They are no help for a rope seal.

[greydog]

What actually leaks? Is it the clearance between the rope seal and the journal or the joint between the two halves?
If it's at the halves, it seems like it would be fixable in the car. Drop the pan, pull the bottom rear main cap (not as easy as it sounds), install a new seal half a bit over length, reinstall all and see if it's better or worse.
Anyone try it?
Dan

[Gregs672000]

The manual outlines a procedure for that. However I've not heard of the success rate.