CallawayOwnersGroup.com

Hi folks - newbie here from sunny Scotland....just bought 1986 C4 No 134 which had been unused for 2 years. Drove it home 465 miles at 65/70 no problem. Gave it a few bursts to some high MPH before getting home - opened hood in the morning and oil everywhere along the engine front/pullys etc etc. Sump was pretty depleted but no warning or pressure lights. Steam cleaned the motor today but cannot find any obvious leaks so am assuming it's blowing/sucked out at high rpm on boost. Closest I can come to a guess is perhaps the oil pump leaking from main seal facing the block??? The oil fittings are all tight/clean. Not being to familiar with the small block does anyone have any info/insight to this problem??
Jock

Based on your description, I think the culprit is likely the front crankshaft seal, especially since the engine had not run for 2 years. Drive it normally for a while and check for leaks. It should be easy to spot the source of the leak since you've steam cleaned the engine.

Thanks for reply. Will check tomorrow after its dried off and had a run - are the small blocks prone to crank seal failure?

No. However, lack of use often increases the likelihood of seals leaking.

Autotrax,

There is one one possible cuplrit which if it is the cause would be much simpler to fix. I don't know about the early Callaway's but it was certainly applicable to the '91s... there is an oil/air separator. It is a black rectangular box which I have highlighted in the picture below. When they go bad, oil can escape it in a mist which will coat the front of the engine. Check for that. Also since these cars are now effectively 25 years old, it is highly advisable to replace turbo oil and coolant lines to avoid any mishap of a rupture under stress. Age and heat takes a toll on the hoses.

One interesting thing to note for those who may be new to these cars, Callaway converted a pully into a secondary oil pump. You can clearly see the pump in the picture below. As a result of this, the belts on these cars are custom and hence they can only be sourced at Callaway and not an your local Chevrolet or parts supplier. Good Luck,

Luigi

Finally got around to jacking up the PIA, it's the power steering pump thats leaking all over drive belts and back on to the tranny/motor! Someone has filled it with a black type ATF lube - so was difficult to trace until jacked up.

You dodged a bullet there my friend,

i10fwy
87-070