Classic/Antique Car Repair/oil leak

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Expert: - 7/8/2010


Question
I have a 68 pontiac 400 cid engine that has an oil leak.  It is around the oil filter.  I have replaced the oil filter twice thinking that I perhaps tightened it to much and squeezed the gasket enough break it,  I then tried not tightening it so much and it still leaked.  I have run my finger around the rim of the receiving end of the housing and it appears smooth.  Is there something that I am not doing right or do I perhaps need another oil filter connection(?).

Answer
The most common cause is that the old filter gasket is stuck there. If that is not the case then check the oil pressure ending unit as hen it leaks the oil runs down on the top of the filter making the filter look like it is leaking. The oil filter should only be tightened till the gasket contacts the mount and then tightened just hand tight. Do not use any kind of wrench or strap wrench to tighten the filter.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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