87 R-10 New Owner, Total Newb Question Re: Oil Under Hood

[skyydiver]

OK, I traded an old bike for my wife's uncle's 87 R-10. He put a new (I assume he me and rebuilt, but anyway) 350 in it 1500 miles ago. Runs great, tranny feels like it's in good shape, I'm really happy.

Anyway, I can handle general maintenance on my bikes and cars, but am no mechanic. There is a lot of oil all over the engine compartment. Her uncle mentioned that I probably needed to replace a "grommet in the valve cover". That's where he guesses the oil is coming from, though he says he has never really looked. So I have 2 questions:

1. Is it common to have a rebuilt motor that needs work on valve cover parts? I'm guessing that new valve covers, etc...might not be a normal part of a rebuild?

2. What's the best way to clean up in there and diagnose the source of the oil?

Thanks in advance! I am excited to have a new old truck to play with and work with. Part of the allure was the new motor, I really don't want to have to be adding oil to a new engine all the time.

Mike

[Swims350]

yep they can get old and brittle or fall in or off over time esp. when you work on them. he may have not changed them, depends on the engine, most long blocks don't have intakes or valve covers. I would use some gunk engine degreaser on everything ecept like on top of the intake since the tbi or carb(87 starteed tbi in trucks with small blocks as best I know) then sensors and distributor, don't want them wet really. I would do the block and valve covers and frame, fenders etc. Then you can follow up with like carb or brake cleaner on a rag, but be warned it takes paint off like paint thinner.

Once it's all clean and free of oil drive it some and see where it comes from.

That or look for a wet spot before doing anything, a fresh leak will be wet or shiney looking.

[skyydiver]

Very cool, thanks Chris. He mentioned it is TBI, so I'm guessing it is an OEM replacement, and from what you said, sounds like a short block. I haven't picked it up yet, but have about a 100 mile drive home, so I'll just wipe it off a little before I leave and see if anything is obvious when I get home.

Now to decide on a look. The body is in surprisingly good shape. I need a windshield, some of the signal light covers, etc...but after that it's like a clean slate. I don't know what all I want to do to it yet. I'm very function over form, but I'd like to make it kind of original looking. It's going to be my hunting truck, among other duties like hauling motorcycles. Basically, I'm not going to spend a ton on looks, but also don't want to just do the old spray can camo either. The original color looks like a yellow lab. Guess I could just stencil "Cream Dream" on the back and call it good. :)

[DylanC]

If the valve covers are torqued down to much oil may make it way through the screw heads on the valve covers found that out the hard way =]

[Swims350]

not to mention gasket leak from them.

Yea wipe it down as best you can and once home look for wetness.

a short block is block, crank rods, etc. long block includes heads, either is possible though.

I would guess if it's an auto it's a 700r4 trans and if stick I think it'd be the sm465 not sure on what exact manual trans they had in the last years and when the 5 speeds started.