Thread: beside myself

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I have a new short block in my 62 thunderbird convertible.One mechanic says that the oil spotting is from around the valve covers. Thats BS. I have cleaned around the intake and the cylinder heads I put a fresh pan underneath the 390 and start it up. After just a couple minutes of running the engine and shutting it down theres a few drops inside of the plastic pan.This engine has a casting number as the orginal fe390 that the car was born with. Now when Iam under the car and observing the oil comind down it is running down on the left side of the oil pan coming higher up. Which I beleive it could be a loose oil plug behind the block. How many plugs does this engine have and if I got on top and mounted the engine whould I be able to see or touch one of these plugs if that where the leak is coming from. Because no sooner than I start it up and shut it down there is several drops.If I put dye in the oil and use a blacklite would I be able to tell and see if its coming from one of those plugs behind the engine. Thanks Larry. If I cant see what would have to be done to get to the plugs and how many our there.

It looks like there are 5 plugs one above each main bearing, on the left side. They are just above the maincap cross bolts if that is the 390 side oiler block.
I think you will only be able to see 4 of them because I think one is behind the oil filter adapter!!! I think, it's been along time.
Kurt

On the back of the block there are 4 cup plugs, 3 small that plug the lifter galleys ( center main galley and right and left) and 1 larger cam plug. You can replace the 3 smaller plugs with threaded plugs but of course the engine needs to come out. Threaded plugs used there became standard in 69 I believe. Anything earlier will have pressed in cup plugs stock. The larger rear cam plug should be installed with the cup side facing in towards the rear of the cam. I also run a bead of sealer around the outer edge of the cam plug. It's common for the smaller cup plugs to weep after time. One of those things. It could also be the rear main seal leaking possibly. Or all of the above. The 390 is a top oiler.