420A Oil leak on belt side of 420a

[Gmosiman]

Okay, soo, I have a pretty good idea of what my issue might be. But I want to double check with the experts of the forum. I bought an engine block, from a friend with a machined crank, eagle rods, and Wisceo pistons. Oil and water pump installed already. I spent about six months getting it all installed. I checked every box.
I start it for the first time. And it runs for about 10 seconds and it dies, I expected this, but what I didn't expect was the oil pouring out from the belt side of my engine.
My timing belt is covered in oil and the belt side of the oil pan is too. The other belts aren't. I can't see what exactly is leaking. It's not the oil pan. I think it's the pump or the seal, but I don't know. And idk what else It could be. And I don't want to pull the whole engine just to find out it was something stupid.
I want to know what you guys think it could be, and what you suggest I do.
I will have some pictures when I get home for reference

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Likely the front main seal (where the crank passes through the oil pump). That seal was completely missing when I first bought mine and oil was just spewing out.

 

[Sirius1995]

another vote for the main seal, replaced mine recently due rebuilding the engine

 

[Gmosiman]

Likely the front main seal

another vote for the main seal

Okay, soooo, it was dark when I got home so no pictures yet... but I was looking at a diagram online and noticed that the timing belt cover has a seal on it.
I couldn't get my cover off my old engine so I never put it on this one. Is there any reason that it could have anything to do with this??

 

[Gmosiman]

Okay, soooo, it was dark when I got home so no pictures yet... but I was looking at a diagram online and noticed that the timing belt cover has a seal on it.
I couldn't get my cover off my old engine so I never put it on this one. Is there any reason that it could have anything to do with this??

I realize that a seal on the cover wouldn't actually be so integral in sealing the block but from my experience, most cars have a piece that keeps the main seal in place... and I'm wondering if that is on the cover

 

[Sirius1995]

yes, you need to take the timing components off as well as the cover behind it, and crankshaft gear (you'll need a special type of pulley tool for that)

 

[Gmosiman]

I know what I have to take off.
What I'm saying is that behind my crankshaft gear, the back side of the cover isn't there. It's just the crank gear then the seal

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

The main seal basically hold itself in place. When you buy a new oil pump they are pre-installed. But normally when I buy the main seal separately I use a skim coat of rtv on the outer diameter just ensure it won't pop loose. The crank sprocket and timing cover will only ensure it won't pop very far out of the pump.

 

[Gmosiman]

The main seal basically hold itself in place. When you buy a new oil pump they are pre-installed. But normally when I buy the main seal separately I use a skim coat of rtv on the outer diameter just ensure it won't pop loose. The crank sprocket and timing cover will only ensure it won't pop very far out of the pump.

So I think I found the culprit.
I'm not sure of the correct name,, but it's a freeze plug for oil on the front of the block. I just never realized it wasn't plugged

 

[Gmosiman]

So I think I found the culprit.
I'm not sure of the correct name,, but it's a freeze plug for oil on the front of the block. I just never realized it wasn't plugged

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[BLACK'98DSM]

Yep there's supposed to be a plug in there. This is the best picture I have of that area. You can see it though.

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[Gmosiman]

Yep there's supposed to be a plug in there. This is the best picture I have of that area. You can see it though.

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Yeah I kinda feel dumb right now...
It's supposed to be a 16mm plug but I'm gonna try to push a 5/8 in in there

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Use some rtv on the outer diameter and make sure it sits level in there. Also make sure the bore is clean before you install it.

 

[Sirius1995]

oh yea, I remember that plug vaguely when I was painting the plug and it popped out just before I started to paint it

 

[Gmosiman]

Just a little update, I used RTV on a 5/8 plug bc I couldn't find a 16mm one. I bought 2 luckily. The plug fixed the leak at the front, as expected. But, I feared that the plug at the rear was also missing, and I was right. So I've pulled the transmission, I cannot seem to get the cv axles out tho. I replaced that plug, and attempted to replace the transmission. It's a b**** to replace when you're only one person with 2 jacks and a jack stand, no trans jack. Sadly, the transmission fell. Gott get my spare out and clean it up

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I've been there brother. 3 times in fact. Reinstalling the trans by yourself is a tedious process. Here's a tip for you. Buy a couple 3.5 inch long bolts with the same thread pattern as the bellhousing bolts. Cut the heads off of them. Screw them into the top 2 slots of the engine. You now have hanger studs to hold the trans in place while you get the rest of them started

 

[Gmosiman]

I've been there brother. 3 times in fact. Reinstalling the trans by yourself is a tedious process. Here's a tip for you. Buy a couple 3.5 inch long bolts with the same thread pattern as the bellhousing bolts. Cut the heads off of them. Screw them into the top 2 slots of the engine. You now have hanger studs to hold the trans in place while you get the rest of them started

Good SH** I like it man. Thanks!
I'm gonna put both transmissions in the garage and tinker, I know my spare has a spotty 3rd gear. Not sure if I'll actually do anything with it bc I've never worked on the inside of a trans. But it's a good time to cleanup and paint things, give it a good look.
Thanks again