Oil leak at bellhousing - rear main seal?

[dave73chally]

Car has been parked in a garage for 5 months, hasn't been started. Noticed a few drops of oil on the ground and looks like it's coming from where the bellhousing mounts to the block. Thinking a rear main seal? My plan was to pull the engine this fall, don't have time to do it now. Do I have any options to try to enjoy for the summer before tearing it apart?

Do those rear main sealer fluids work?

[jhaag]

If the car has been setting without being started, seals will dry out. Run the car for awhile, and it may stop. This is assuming that the leak hasn't been ongoing. Are you sure it is oil, not gear lube from trans? Are you sure it is not coming from the sending unit above the bellhousing?

[cudabob496]

converter empties, and tranny fluild gets on floor

[challengerjeff]

If the car has been setting without being started, seals will dry out. Run the car for awhile, and it may stop. This is assuming that the leak hasn't been ongoing. Are you sure it is oil, not gear lube from trans? Are you sure it is not coming from the sending unit above the bellhousing?

If it is oil, I agree about checking the sending unit, mine started leaking this past winter.

[JMB340Challenger]

I know it sounds silly, but double check where the oil filter mounts and the valve cover gaskets too. Sometimes that oil will find its way...I thought I had a rear main leak too, turned out to be the oil filter gasket.

[TelisSE440]

You saw the oil dripping on the floor without starting your engine right? So i think it can't be leaking from the oil sender unit or the screw next to it, because it has to be pressured to get there. Your car is a manual (judging by your avatar), so you have to put your finger to the front of the bellhousing, to the rear of the oil pan and below the rear main seal, do you see/feel oil? If yes the rear main seal is the culprit. If no see if there's any oil in the place where the trans and bellhousing connect. If yes, check  the bellhousing to be sure if oil is dripping there from somewhere else. If no, then the trans seal must be the problem (i found that the day before in my car ).

[dave73chally]

Thanks guys, I'll check it out next time I go to the body shop garage. I just need to get it home about 30 miles, then the motor and trans are being swapped out!

[TelisSE440]

Thanks guys, I'll check it out next time I go to the body shop garage. I just need to get it home about 30 miles, then the motor and trans are being swapped out!

With what, do tell, you're planning for a racing combo? 

[dave73chally]

I have a 440 block being built into a 512 stroker as we speak 

I'm planning to fully strip the car after I get it back and re-do everything. It's at the point now where it's far enough taken apart that it makes sense to keep going and do it right the first time. 

[TelisSE440]

  I hope someday i build my 440 into a 512 stroker. I saw the rear deck filler post and i figured that a lot of work is being done. Good luck with the project 

[dave73chally]

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=104629.msg1034515#msg1034515