Oil leak from 289

[Hogtrough]

My '63 has an engine that was fully rebuilt in the early 2000's and driven little since. There are oil leaks from the engine and I've checked and replaced the oil pressure gauge hose and tightened the pan bolts. It seems to leak even when just sitting in the garage which seems strange to me - shouldn't the oil level when sitting around be below the crankshaft seals? What is the most likely source of the leaks? (which at a glance appear to be front and rear seals)

[Leo B]

I have been told that one way to see the source of a leak is to wash the potential leak area well and when it is dry, spread some powder (talcum powder) over the area. This will reveal the location of the leak. I have not tried this yet, but I plan to do so.
I just noticed the same in my garage and it was the the drain plug.

Edited Monday at 07:09 AM by Leo B

[Hogtrough]

Drain plug would make sense on mine since it's in the general area and below oil level, but it is very tight and has a copper washer. I'll give it another look though

[mfg]

Studebaker’s like to mark their territory!

[ronmanfredi]

I bought a R2 with a freshly rebuilt engine.  It has to areas where it's just leaking a little and that is at the oil pan front and rear neoprene seals.  I'm sure they were put on dry and clean without any other sealant.  I'm planning on pulling the pan soon to replace the gaskets/seals and will fix the problem.

[Gunslinger]

The Studebaker V-8 has a multi-piece oil pan gasket(s)...something like a dozen separate pieces.  It's very common for any of them to shrink and leave an opening for oil to leak from.  The rear main seal is a problem area as well with some engines.  

[Leo B]

I understood that if the car has been sitting for a long time and then all the oil is at the bottom. That is, the engine no longer drains oil to the bottom. Then the cause can only be a crack in the pan or a drain plug. That was the case with me. My plug broke even though I had a copper gasket in it. It was too hard and I changed to a softer synthetic gasket and sealed the threads with Loctite pipe sealant.

Edited 3 hours ago by Leo B