I need help solving an oil leak. (L series)

[emerida07]

Hey everyone this is my first post. I'm not a mechanic, I have very little mechanical knowledge, so please excuse me if I say something retarded or obvious. I need help fixing a leak on my 73 620 pickup.I bought this truck to teach myself how to work on engines.So the leak is coming from under the distributer. I'm always having to put oil. So my question is, is there a seal or gasket that gos there, if yes what is it called? If not how could I fix it. I wanted to post a pic but I'm not sure how to post pics. I will appreciate all help thank you.

[datzenmike]

Well there is an O ring where the distributor body seats down into the pedestal top.

 

 

 

 

 

And there is a small paper gasket for the base of the pedestal around the two mounting bolts.

 

[distributorguy]

If your engine is pushing oil out at the distributor pedestal, its likely that you have quite a bit of blow-by at the piston rings, pushing oil out anywhere it can go.  Blow-by also means you are likely sucking it into the cylinders and burning a fair amount of oil.  No O-ring will cure this.  

Most of these factory installed O-rings have hardened like a rock, and when I get distributors in for repair, there is no sign of a leak in this area despite the seal being completely worthless.  If its just a matter of pulling a truck out of long term storage, it'll repair itself with mileage.  If its a matter of high mileage, nothing but a rebuild will solve it.  

[datzenmike]

Post pictures.... http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54932-photobucket-ratsun/

[banzai510(hainz)]

go to olddatsuns.com the tech section.

 

 

not that much oil is going to work up the dist shaft as that should have a o ring and gasket at the top

[datzenmike]

Oil runs down hill and fan air can push it also. Valve cover is the most common leak. Could be flowing down behind distributor. Could be the the head gasket seal around the timing chain or the timing cover. Clean the area with brake cleaner and keep and eye on it to see exactly where it is.

[distributorguy]

After you clean it, a spray deodorant like Arid will spray a powder that allows you to see the wet oil tracks, if they still sell such a thing?  Otherwise baby powder makes a mess, but also works.  Oil doesn't usually leak up.  Nor does it blow forward toward the fan.  Common sense about gravity and wind will help you find the issue, after you start with a "clean" slate.  

[Scgreen620]

Check the mechanical fuel pump I had that go out and I couldn't figure out why there was oil in my engine bay .. It was everywhere