The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I am having a problem fixing an oil leak on the drivers side of the engine.It appears to be coming from the center intake bolts because the 2 center pockets on top of the manifold are collecting the oil. I have tried using a high temp thread sealer which may have slowed the leak some.
When I put the bolts back in they were torqued to 35 ft lbs which is what was called for in my old Chiltons Manual. Is this a common problem and what might be the next step at correcting the problem. The engine does have an aluminum intake. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Dale1035 wrote:I am having a problem fixing an oil leak on the drivers side of the engine.It appears to be coming from the center intake bolts because the 2 center pockets on top of the manifold are collecting the oil. I have tried using a high temp thread sealer which may have slowed the leak some.
When I put the bolts back in they were torqued to 35 ft lbs which is what was called for in my old Chiltons Manual. Is this a common problem and what might be the next step at correcting the problem. The engine does have an aluminum intake. Any suggestions are appreciated.

What kind of intake gasket,(s) do you have on there Dale? The old standbyFel-Pro" bathtub"? Some guys use the valley intake and cut off the intake portion of the sheetmetal intake gasket, opting for a paper gasket intstead or silicone sealer. Also I think the torque amount is OK for alluminum but some people use a tad less, maybe 25, but 35 shouldnt hurt anything. But, to answer your question specifically, I think maybe a new intake gasket might solve the problem. Where the heads milled?

I have no idea about weather or not the head have been milled. I have not had them off. The engine was resealed less than 100 miles ago using a Fel-Pro gasket kit. I know that they replaced the valve cover gaskets and the intake gasket along with oil pan, water pump rear main fuel pump and maybe some others. I did have this same problem before the new gaskets were put on. I have never had an intake off of a Mopar before so I do not know how the oil flow goes in that part of the engine. Since this has been an ongoing problem I am wondering if the intake could be warped or if the bolt have been over torqued and streched. If the intake is the problem I have the original intake and could easily replace the aluminum intake.

Dale, this is a big block No? Overtorquing the alluminum intake can cause it to crack and not be noticeable. I would reseal the intake and look very carefully for any small cracks around that particular intake bolt hole. You might want to get a set of the Aramid Fiber re-usable gaskets from Don at www.4secondsflat.com they supposedly prevent leakage a bit better than some of the other gasket types out there.

340 big block Eddie??

Hey, you're supposed to be on Holiday! The 340 intake is 'wet' but the procedures still apply. Who's taking care of billy?

airfuelEddie wrote:Hey, you're supposed to be on Holiday! Who's taking care of billy?

My dad has Billy. I am still in London at my mother-in-laws but will be flying out to France tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks Guys for the help. Since there is a chance that the intake is cracked I think that I will put the original back on. I do not plan to race the car, I just love to cruise around in a great looking car. so the small amount of lost HP will not be a problem.
Dave, I hope that you have a great vacation. Now that I am older I regret not getting to the continent during my stay in England.
Eddie, Don't take too much harassment from Dave over the block size.

Sounds good Dale. I am 'dreaming' about dropping the 451 hammer in Jeff's car,(73challenger guy's car, he did us proud, you should hear the burndown story on that beast)!!!, and I have bigblock on the brain. Have fun in France Dave. Wish I were there as well! Anywhere but Terre Haute!