Through bolt oil leak

[GBStu]

I have finally located the last (for now) oil leak on my recent 3.0SC rebuild, after bending the air deflector out of the way I could see the oil oozing from around the through bolt washer.

Is there any way to replace the O ring without breaking down the engine again? Or has anyone ever tried to seal the leak from the outside?

Thanks

Stu

[Eagledriver]

Stu,

You can replace the o-ring on the nut side of the through bolt without removing the engine (assuming you can get wrenches into position). If the leak is under the bolt head then the cylinders have to come off to remove the bolt. The danger is that when you replace the o-ring under the nut you will disturb the o-ring under the bolt head and cause a leak there. I would only use the green viton o-rings for these seals and not the blue silicon. Some people have had good luck with the blue silicon but they are too fragile for me to take a chance on them. An external sealant will not work as there is full oil pressure under those seals.

-Andy