Chasing oil getting out.

[TX '90 ZR1]

Never had any bad oil leaks, but I would see a drop or two at times hit the floor. Am working on all of Marc Haibecks recommendations to get it shut off completely.
First I checked all the easily accesible pan bolts. Some were a little loose. One was about ready to fall out!. Just this step helped a lot.
Would notice a small amount of oil beside the injector housing on drivers side. Removed the PCV 90 degree rubber grommet and saw the lip was folded as in Marc's pictures. Replaced it.
Only sign of leaking now is at right front of oil pan. Have the cross braces out to get to the hidden bolts and the 3 at the front. One front pan bolt was missing, but was suprised there was no oil leak around it. Of course I replaced it with a new one and tightened the others.
I think the oil pressure regulator cover may be leaking some. I can't seem to access it from the bottom. Marc's instructions say to lift right side of engine and access it from the top.
I guess my question is: What is the procedure for lifting the right side of engine?? Or does anyone have another recommendation for accessing the cover bolts ?

[Dynomite]

I could not get to Oil Pressure Regulator Cover from the top on my 95'
I got to it from the bottom and replaced Both 6mm x 15mm Bolts with 8mm Heads with 6mm x 15mm Bolts with 10mm Heads.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/350x300-1/80-9993c24f_ce04_4e77_9b8f_4366897319a7_1__bc89fb1df5 d42c2d00e7d14416281b9e0db87d7f.jpg


See item #3 Potential Oil Leaks and the OPRV Cover Plate (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1581302471)

[TX '90 ZR1]

Thanks for the reply Dynomite.
Mine is a '90 so I don't have the EGR to contend with.
From underneath I think I can see the lower bolt on the cover, but there is a shield attached with 2 pan bolts that blocks access. The shield appears to have wiring attached to it.
It was getting late in the day when I got to this. I'll give it a fresh eye tomorrow & report back.
I really appreciate your input on my posts. :cheers:

[Dynomite]

Thanks for the reply Dynomite.
Mine is a '90 so I don't have the EGR to contend with.
From underneath I think I can see the lower bolt on the cover, but there is a shield attached with 2 pan bolts that blocks access. The shield appears to have wiring attached to it.
It was getting late in the day when I got to this. I'll give it a fresh eye tomorrow & report back.
I really appreciate your input on my posts. :cheers:

To lift the engine right side remove the passenger side motor mount nut and place a jack under oil pan with 2x4x6 pad between jack pad and oil pan. Lift on passenger edge of oil pan. You will gain a couple inches more or less.

On my 90' I reached in from the top front of the engine to get access to the two 6 mm bolts with an 8 mm hex flex head ratchet wrench as described in item #2 Potential Oil Leaks and the OPRV Cover Plate (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1581302471)

Since such a tight area to work in with engine in car I removed each 6 mm bolt one at a time so I did not drop the cover plate or gasket. So...no permatex on that gasket but both 6 mm bolts cleaned and Blue Loctite applied.

Since the bolts and plate were so loose I figured correctly just tightening the 6 mm bolts with Blue Loctite would solve the oil leak and loose bolt problem (The gasket was stuck to the engine block and not the cover plate). I tightened the bolts by feel as I could not get torque wrench even close to that area unless engine is out of car. No more oil leaks in that area at all.

The BEST fix, however, is to replace those two 6mm x 15mm bolts having 8mm heads with two 6mm x 15mm bolts with 10mm heads as described in item #3 Potential Oil Leaks and the OPRV Cover Plate (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1581302471)

[davekp]

I could not get to Oil Pressure Regulator Cover from the top on my 95'
I got to it from the bottom and replaced Both 6mm x 15mm Bolts with 8mm Heads with 6mm x 15mm Bolts with 10mm Heads.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/350x300-1/80-9993c24f_ce04_4e77_9b8f_4366897319a7_1__bc89fb1df5 d42c2d00e7d14416281b9e0db87d7f.jpg


See item #3 Potential Oil Leaks and the OPRV Cover Plate (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1581302471)

How long are these bolts?

[Dynomite]

How long are these bolts?

They are 6mm x 15mm or 15mm long which is .59 inches :cheers:
The Top bolt has a 8mm head and the bottom bolt has 10mm head which larger head is much easier to keep a metric socket or metric box wrench on.
I always use 6 pt sockets or box wrenches rather than 12 pt on ZR-1/LT5 bolts..

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/350x300-1/80-9993c24f_ce04_4e77_9b8f_4366897319a7_1__bc89fb1df5 d42c2d00e7d14416281b9e0db87d7f.jpg

The BEST fix, however, is to replace those two 6mm x 15mm bolts having 8mm heads with two 6mm x 15mm bolts with 10mm heads as described in item #3 Potential Oil Leaks and the OPRV Cover Plate (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1581302471)

[davekp]

They are 6mm x 15mm or 15mm long which is .59 inches :cheers:
The Top bolt has a 8mm head and the bottom bolt has 10mm head which larger head is much easier to keep a metric socket or metric box wrench on.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/350x300-1/80-9993c24f_ce04_4e77_9b8f_4366897319a7_1__bc89fb1df5 d42c2d00e7d14416281b9e0db87d7f.jpg

The BEST fix, however, is to replace those two 6mm x 15mm bolts having 8mm heads with two 6mm x 15mm bolts with 10mm heads as described in item #3 Potential Oil Leaks and the OPRV Cover Plate (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1581302471)

are they coarse or fine thread?

[Dynomite]

are they coarse or fine thread?
Look for a 6mm metric thread bolt. You are looking for a 6mm bolt 15mm long with a 10mm hex head (with flange).

A 6mm bolt I think only comes with a 1mm pitch.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Measuring/Metric-Thread-Pitch.aspx

[davekp]

Look for a 6mm metric thread bolt. You are looking for a 6mm bolt 15mm long with a 10mm hex head (with flange).

A 6mm bolt I think only comes with a 1mm pitch.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Measuring/Metric-Thread-Pitch.aspx

Thanks!
Dave

[TX '90 ZR1]

Here's where I am now on getting things tightened up.
I wasn't seeing an easy access from the bottom, so thought I would try to get to the oil pressure cover from the top. I don't have real big hands and have worked in a lot of tight places, but was not having any luck. (Getting older and my body does not flex as it used to).
I got back underneath, got the wires unhooked from the shield and removed it. I could actually see the lower cover bolt. Was able to get a wrench on it and it was a full 2 1/2 turns loose!! Very tight quarters, but doable. I am going to tackle the upper bolt from the bottom tomorrow.
I am getting to the point that everytime I see a bolt or nut I put a wrench on it to make sure it is tight !!
I'll let you know how the top bolt goes. CHEERS !!

[Dynomite]

I use metric flex head rachet wrenches a lot :thumbsup:

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/FlexHeadRatchet.jpg

Somtimes interlock an open end box wrench (box end interlocked with open end of flex head rachet wrench)
to gain length for that bolt out of normal reach.

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[TX '90 ZR1]

I think I got 'em all. (Leaks)
To recap- Tightened all pan bolts. Several were loose. Some more than others.
Replaced PCV elbow on drivers side. The one I removed had the lip folded.
Tightened oil regulator cover bolts. The bottom one was real loose. The top one just a bit. The bolts on the cover were NOT easy to get tightened. Finally rigged up a ratcheting box end with an extension attached to it to get to the top one. I didn't have an extended reach wrench, so made do with what I had.
Good to not see any signs of oil leaking. :dancing
Looks nice !! :cool:
7134

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

I think I got 'em all. (Leaks)
To recap- Tightened all pan bolts. Several were loose. Some more than others.
Replaced PCV elbow on drivers side. The one I removed had the lip folded.
Tightened oil regulator cover bolts. The bottom one was real loose. The top one just a bit. The bolts on the cover were NOT easy to get tightened. Finally rigged up a ratcheting box end with an extension attached to it to get to the top one. I didn't have an extended reach wrench, so made do with what I had.
Good to not see any signs of oil leaking. :dancing
Looks nice !! :cool:
7134


Well done!
:cheers:
Marty