[DeTomaso] oil leak questions

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Chris, if the engine is pretty new, the pan gaskets shouldn't have bonded 
to the engine yet. FWIW, I always oil one side of the pan gaskets and 
contact-cement the other (your choice of surfaces). After 2-3 years, I can still 
drop the pan without tearing a gasket and no leaks. And as JT said, 
mis-idexing the neoprene seal ends fixes most rear main seal leaks. 
Complications arise if -A- the rear main is still running a rope seal- used 
by OEMs up to the mid-'70s and sold by some auto parts stores even today, 
and -B- if the seal surface on the crank is damaged or machined wrong. This 
last is seen on some cheaper stroker cranks but not OEM. FWIW, the upcoming 
June POCA newsletter issue has a two-part main oil seal article series- front 
& rear, with photos of what's involved. Cheers- J DeRyke