I purchased a 68 camaro with the original 327. Previous owner said it had a small oil leak after running. I assumed it would be the rear main but after further inspection the oil actually comes down the firewall above the transmission and drips down onto the exhaust. I also found it comes down the block to the oil filter on drivers side and passenger side to starter. It is enough that it’s even in the flywheel dust cover. I pulled that off and cleaned it, including spraying underside with brake clean then added dye to the oil. Tonight I found a little oil at the back of intake manifold but no other obvious place it was coming from so I started it up. Once warm I could smell the oil burning on the exhaust meaning it’s running down above the transmission again but I could not find any oil coming from the back of the block with a black light and mirror. It is tight back there but I feel I did a descent job of looking.

Where can the oil be coming from that it would run down the block above the bell housing and also run down the body under the doors and onto the exhaust? It would have to be spraying for that to happen right?

 

Possible oil light/pressure sending unit. Possible intake manifold seal.

 

does your 327 have the PCV port/hose on the rear of the block?..

typical suspect is rear intake and or oil pressure sensor. if that is lose it will leak

 

If it's down the back of the block, then would most likely be the oil sending unit. Check around the base of the distributor too, might be leaking there?? My camaro had a oil leak a long time ago and it was the PVC valve, so look inside the air cleaner. See if any oil is building up inside. Valve could be bad and oil building up and leaking down hoses or dripping from the air cleaner.

 

There is no oil pressure sending unit, I found a plug right next to the intake by the distributor and there’s no oil gauge in the car. As for the pcv I believe it’s in the passenger side valve cover but I need to trace the lines from it when I get home to see where they go.

 

There is no oil inside the air cleaner at all. Spotless.

 

It might be remanence of an old leak or only leaks at a higher oil pressure. Clean it up and drive it for a while. Other than that, its above my pay grade now. I'm going to let the other professionals take the lead.

 

Thank for the help, I cleaned it up and will drive it tonight and see if the uv dye gives me any answers.

 

It was the intake manifold

 

Great to know you found the problem.... good luck on the repairs.