Newbie ? Oil leak from exhaust manifold
 

How does this make sense? Just getting ready to start rebuilt flathead v8 engine installed in 1949 Ford truck. Filled with oil and coolant pending celebratory start. Just noticed very minimal leak of clean oil from rear driver's side exhaust manifold. Checked and found I had failed to torque the bolts and did so but, nevertheless, an oil leak from the exhaust manifold doesn't make sense to me.
I did put spritz oil in each sparkplug hole and in the oil pump and put a quart in the distributor access before I inserted the distributor to try to get ready for starting. Would the latter actions contribute to this oil on exhaust side or do I have a more serious problem? If so, what could it be?

thx


alan

Re: Newbie ? Oil leak from exhaust manifold
 

Oil in the spark plug hole > out and down an open exhaust port > out the exhaust manifold.

Re: Newbie ? Oil leak from exhaust manifold
 

Agree. If you poured or squirted oil in a spark plug hole this is most likely where it's coming from. Especially if the ex manifold was not torqued tight. Chap

Re: Newbie ? Oil leak from exhaust manifold
 

Could have been some spill when you put the oil in the engine. Unless I use a funnel ,(even then sometime) That stuff will amaze you on how it gets around.

Re: Newbie ? Oil leak from exhaust manifold
 

thanks for all your input. What a relief. Guess I'll prep for a "smokin" start up.

af