Rocker shaft oil leak...maybe?

[skimp930]

I've been trying to figure out an oil leak that started ever since I got my top end rebuilt a few years back. I took it the original mechanic who performed my top end but ultimately he couldn't figure out why and then he retired. I took it to several other mechanics and long story short, it's still leaking. Since I'm at home a lot these days, I thought I'll investigate myself with the help of this forum .

The oil leak looks like it's coming from where the heads and the cam tower meet. I opened intake valve covers on the driver side and this is what I found. Does the rocker shaft look to be in the correct position? Did it walk a bit? Do I need to reposition? Do you guys see any signs of a leak?

Thanks for your help!

Cylinders 1,2 and 3

[ELZ's930]

Are there rocker shaft seals installed? You could add them. You could also check to make sure your allen caps are both tight on the shaft. Best to check that with the rocker arm on or near the base circle of the cam. The rocker shaft seems to be installed correctly.


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[dap930]

If oil is puddling in the bottom of the dry pockets (areas where the rockers arms are not present) of the valve cover then the rocker is leaking. The second photo looks like there may be a small weep but probably not enough to show as a leak. The lower rocker arms will show a leak more easily because once the oil in the dry pockets gets to a small level it spills over into the internal cam housing and creates an oil drip off the bottom of the cylinder head fins. I had a leak like this for years until I figured out what was going on realizing one of the exhaust rockers was leaking. When I tried to remove the leaking rocker I found that it had broken at the groove where optional RSR seals are installed. I guess it was tightened too tight to cause the failure. But just a leaking rocker would show the same oil drip.