1976 351w Rear Main Oil Leak - Help

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   Bought a 76' Ski Nautique with a 351w that has sat for a few years. After a good compression test, and tune-up, carb rebuild and oil change, got her running like a top. Took it for a couple of rides and it runs amazing except for one problem.... The rear main leaks into the bilge.

It's not a show stopper but I don't want to pump bilge water into the lake and its a pain to clean up the bilge each ride. Also worried it'll get worse.  With that said, wondering what I have for options to get me through the rest of the summer. I'll pull engine in fall and reseal it up over the winter but for now what can I do? Does anyone have any experience with oil leak sealers you add to the motor oil?  I was also thinking of tightening the oil pan bolts. If you have any advice, shoot me a message. I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Steve 
East Waterboro, ME

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sberard5 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: August-31-2014 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote sberard5 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 1976 351w Rear Main Oil Leak - Help Posted: June-09-2015 at 10:18pm
	Bought a 76' Ski Nautique with a 351w that has sat for a few years. After a good compression test, and tune-up, carb rebuild and oil change, got her running like a top. Took it for a couple of rides and it runs amazing except for one problem.... The rear main leaks into the bilge. It's not a show stopper but I don't want to pump bilge water into the lake and its a pain to clean up the bilge each ride. Also worried it'll get worse. With that said, wondering what I have for options to get me through the rest of the summer. I'll pull engine in fall and reseal it up over the winter but for now what can I do? Does anyone have any experience with oil leak sealers you add to the motor oil? I was also thinking of tightening the oil pan bolts. If you have any advice, shoot me a message. I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Steve East Waterboro, ME

SNobsessed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102	Post Options Post Reply Quote SNobsessed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-10-2015 at 10:30am
	+Pig+Absorbent+-+1001&utm_term=oil%20pig ">Pig
	“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin

halfnelly Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January-14-2013 Location: Maitland, FL Status: Offline Points: 253	Post Options Post Reply Quote halfnelly Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-10-2015 at 10:35am
	Sounds like you need a "bilge buoy". Stick one in the bilge and it'll absorb the oil but not the water.

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-10-2015 at 10:43am
	Verify what block you have so you can start looking for a reverse rotation seal set now.
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

sberard5 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: August-31-2014 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote sberard5 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-13-2015 at 4:15pm
	So besides replacing the seal there's nothing I can do except replace? I can deal with a small leak, just worried about it getting worse

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-13-2015 at 5:04pm
	Unfortunately no. Your problem will be tracking down a seal,the 2 piece ones have been discontinued. You boat should have the 2 piece one but you never know if the block has been replaced. Mid 80's engines switched to a 1 piece seal
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

sberard5 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: August-31-2014 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote sberard5 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-15-2015 at 8:05pm
	I believe skidim sells what I need. Anyone had any luck with ordering 2 of the 2 piece seals?

TRBenj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21171	Post Options Post Reply Quote TRBenj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-15-2015 at 8:50pm
	The 2-piece seals are not hard to find. They're not rotation specific so id hesitate paying a premium for one that says it is.

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-15-2015 at 9:00pm
	I know not to question your memory but I thought the 2 piece ones were n/a? Which are the ones you can't get any more? As to his crank being tricky I think it was someone else who needed one.
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

TRBenj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21171	Post Options Post Reply Quote TRBenj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-15-2015 at 9:29pm
	You're thinking of the RH 1-piece 302 seals that Reid had custom made.

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-15-2015 at 10:24pm
	Who knows Tim,I'm just glad I don't have to worry about it,nothing I have would need one!
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

1976 351w Rear Main Oil Leak - Help

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