My 1978 Dodge Monaco 4 door sedan.

[Gary P]

Last night the seal kit for the speedometer cable arrived...

...and as you can see, the retaining clip IS INCLUDED this time. So that will go in the car Saturday morning.
Then, we had some kind of monsoon. So I thought it a good idea (as the car is parked outside due to my Vanagon taking up space in the garage) to do a window leak test.

Not a single interior leak! And...the Air Conditioning actually blew cold! Can you believe that?? Amazing car! Love it. She'll get some love this weekend.

 

[Gary P]

Today was a hot one. But I parked in the only shade I have, and got on with the transmission seal repair and finding where the engine oil leak is coming from.

Two jacks, and a total of three 3000lb jack stands. Because....y'know, it's really heavy yeah.

Once I'd pulled the screw-in holder off, I had another look at the speedometer cable housing and weirdly, my gasket maker seal has held, but the main red o ring looks to be drizzlin...

And then as I pried the housing gently out...yeah that seal is about as much use as a seventeen year old Walmart employee...

I pulled out the black o ring and for Pete's sake the new seal is way bigger than the original. So that wont work then....

Once everything was cleaned up super good and the big red o ring replaced, I threw all the bits back in and bolted it back up. Then I went for a drive. Quite an aggressive drive actually. I spent most of the drive, attempting to break the rear wheels loose. I was unsuccessful except when we were on the gravel part of my driveway - but that doesn't count. But it did push me to get the Mancini Lean Burn removal stuff underway asap.

While everything was still hot I had a good look at the once leaky speedo-cable housing...

Drier than Ghandi's flip-flops! Excellent!!

While I was under there, I looked into the engine oil leak that I hoped wasn't the rear main seal - and as some of you advised me, the oil pressure sender is the culprit. Out it came, a little red gasket is completely perished (what the blazes are these manufacturers using for gasket rubber? Cheese?)

so I taped the threads up, gently screwed it back into the housing with a 27mm socket, making sure I didn't over tighten it, and did a long idle - dry as a bone. Then, I went on another aggressive drive. That "Italian Tune-Up" method really works - I don't think I've had so much fun in this car. Was really fun. Anyways, came home, had a look at the sender and...

^^^ that gold color is fresh engine oil. Well that won't do :-(

While my face was contorted into that spot where you can actually see the sender, I took a look at the base of the distributor as well - it's dirty but not leaking oil, it's definitely the sender.

So, fella's how would you deal with this? Put more tape on threads? Buy new sender? Tape up threads of new sender? Buy a burrito and pretend the situation is not happening? I favor the last thing, especially one of those carne asada burrito's mmmm...

Anyways..

Hope you all have a magnificent 4th July! Here's to the future and the US of A becoming fantastic again! From your British friend living in America! Cheers!

 

[HawkRod]

Today was a hot one. But I parked in the only shade I have, and got on with the transmission seal repair and finding where the engine oil leak is coming from.
View attachment 1307474
View attachment 1307477
Two jacks, and a total of three 3000lb jack stands. Because....y'know, it's really heavy yeah.

Once I'd pulled the screw-in holder off, I had another look at the speedometer cable housing and weirdly, my gasket maker seal has held, but the main red o ring looks to be drizzlin...
View attachment 1307469

And then as I pried the housing gently out...yeah that seal is about as much use as a seventeen year old Walmart employee...
View attachment 1307470

I pulled out the black o ring and for Pete's sake the new seal is way bigger than the original. So that wont work then....
View attachment 1307471

Once everything was cleaned up super good and the big red o ring replaced, I threw all the bits back in and bolted it back up. Then I went for a drive. Quite an aggressive drive actually. I spent most of the drive, attempting to break the rear wheels loose. I was unsuccessful except when we were on the gravel part of my driveway - but that doesn't count. But it did push me to get the Mancini Lean Burn removal stuff underway asap.

While everything was still hot I had a good look at the once leaky speedo-cable housing...
View attachment 1307473
Drier than Ghandi's flip-flops! Excellent!!

While I was under there, I looked into the engine oil leak that I hoped wasn't the rear main seal - and as some of you advised me, the oil pressure sender is the culprit. Out it came, a little red gasket is completely perished (what the blazes are these manufacturers using for gasket rubber? Cheese?)
View attachment 1307475

so I taped the threads up, gently screwed it back into the housing with a 27mm socket, making sure I didn't over tighten it, and did a long idle - dry as a bone. Then, I went on another aggressive drive. That "Italian Tune-Up" method really works - I don't think I've had so much fun in this car. Was really fun. Anyways, came home, had a look at the sender and...
View attachment 1307472
^^^ that gold color is fresh engine oil. Well that won't do :-(

While my face was contorted into that spot where you can actually see the sender, I took a look at the base of the distributor as well - it's dirty but not leaking oil, it's definitely the sender.

So, fella's how would you deal with this? Put more tape on threads? Buy new sender? Tape up threads of new sender? Buy a burrito and pretend the situation is not happening? I favor the last thing, especially one of those carne asada burrito's mmmm...

Anyways..

Hope you all have a magnificent 4th July! Here's to the future and the US of A becoming fantastic again! From your British friend living in America! Cheers!

Love your write ups!

Regarding the sender, and as you surmise, there are two places where leaks can happen: (a) the sender itself and (b) the threads.

I obviously can't see which is leaking, but the senders are infamous for leaking, so I would replace that. Leaking from the threads is not as common unless the sender is loose. When you put the new sender in, put some Teflon tape on the threads and tighten it up good. It's a pipe thread, so it seals based on the threads. So give it a reasonable "grunt" when you tighten it to ensure there is no leak there.

Then try some more "Italian tune up" and see what happens!

 

[Gary P]

Goodness me fella’s, the trans leak is fully fixed, but that blasted oil pressure switch is geysering all over the place, even with Teflon tape and gasket maker. I’m wondering if a new sender would even fix that.

 

[Nxcoupe]

Goodness me fella’s, the trans leak is fully fixed, but that blasted oil pressure switch is geysering all over the place, even with Teflon tape and gasket maker. I’m wondering if a new sender would even fix that.

Sounds like it has been over tightened and oversized the hole possibly. Silicone will only work if the threads are clean and dry of oil. It has to be very snug in the hole. It could be the unit is ruptured internally and is leaking from that.

 

[Gary P]

Sounds like it has been over tightened and oversized the hole possibly. Silicone will only work if the threads are clean and dry of oil. It has to be very snug in the hole. It could be the unit is ruptured internally and is leaking from that.

Agreed! I just ordered one it'll be here today, so I'll report back with my findings.

Then hopefully something more exciting to report than stupid oil leaks.

 

[Gary P]

$12, and free delivery to my work in under an hour! Amazing! Hope the part lives up to the service!

 

[Greg Ducato]

Drier than Ghandi's flip-flops!

Laughed out loud at that Gary, I ask permission to use that quote.

 

[Gary P]

Laughed out loud at that Gary, I ask permission to use that quote.

Feel free mate! Hahahaha

 

[Kern Dog]

Drier than Ghandi's flip-flops!

Laughed out loud at that Gary, I ask permission to use that quote.

I've also used..."Drier than Rosie O Donnell at a Chippendales show."

 

[Gary P]

Laughed out loud at that Gary, I ask permission to use that quote.

I've also used..."Drier than Rosie O Donnell at a Chippendales show."

Hahahahah ewwwww.... well I have another one for you coming right up...

Last night after the Fire Service put out a rather scary grass fire right out the back of the house, I pulled the old oil pressure switch, thoroughly cleaned the threads and installed the new switch, with some teflon tape. Went for a blast around the neighborhood, and then...

yep, it's wetter than Drew Barrymore at a grunge club.

Now, the threads are not jacked. I got a camera in there and checked. Is this puddle of irritation coming from my Distributor? Is there a gasket under that clamp there yonder?

Your input is greatly appreciated! Thanks fella's!

 

[Nxcoupe]

Either back of intake or distributor O ring or gasket. Give you 2 guesses which I'd do first.

 

[Greg Ducato]

yep, it's wetter than Drew Barrymore at a grunge club.

I may have just peed a little

 

[Gary P]

I may have just peed a little

Hahahah glad to be of service mate! :-D

 

[HawkRod]

Either back of intake or distributor O ring or gasket. Give you 2 guesses which I'd do first.

Hahahahah ewwwww.... well I have another one for you coming right up...

Last night after the Fire Service put out a rather scary grass fire right out the back of the house, I pulled the old oil pressure switch, thoroughly cleaned the threads and installed the new switch, with some teflon tape. Went for a blast around the neighborhood, and then...
View attachment 1309234
yep, it's wetter than Drew Barrymore at a grunge club.

Now, the threads are not jacked. I got a camera in there and checked. Is this puddle of irritation coming from my Distributor? Is there a gasket under that clamp there yonder?

Your input is greatly appreciated! Thanks fella's!

Gary,

I agree with nxcoupe for these two as possibilities. I guess I will also say that, unfortunately, the distributor is unlikely compared to the back of the intake manifold (based on my experiences).

I would also just quickly check that all the manifold bolts are tight.

If it is the back of the intake manifold, the proper fix for that is removal and replacement of the manifold. It's a big job, especially with A/C crap potentially in the way. To cheat (and potentially only as a diagnostic), I would (a) clean the area really well. This includes using carb cleaner to get rid of oily residue. Then clean it again - really clean and dry. Then (b) buy some oil resistant silicone and smear between the engine and manifold seam (Permatex makes some good black stuff). Get a good bead of it all the way around that seam. Let it cure. Then run or drive the car and see what you find. Do a short drive so you can potentially see where oil is coming from. The silicone should have at least changed the path of the oil leak. If it did and it's still leaking, at least you know have a confirmed source. If you got lucky, you were able to seal it or dramatically slow it down.

Hope the above makes some sense. Good Luck!

 

[Gary P]

Gary,

I agree with nxcoupe for these two as possibilities. I guess I will also say that, unfortunately, the distributor is unlikely compared to the back of the intake manifold (based on my experiences).

I would also just quickly check that all the manifold bolts are tight.

If it is the back of the intake manifold, the proper fix for that is removal and replacement of the manifold. It's a big job, especially with A/C crap potentially in the way. To cheat (and potentially only as a diagnostic), I would (a) clean the area really well. This includes using carb cleaner to get rid of oily residue. Then clean it again - really clean and dry. Then (b) buy some oil resistant silicone and smear between the engine and manifold seam (Permatex makes some good black stuff). Get a good bead of it all the way around that seam. Let it cure. Then run or drive the car and see what you find. Do a short drive so you can potentially see where oil is coming from. The silicone should have at least changed the path of the oil leak. If it did and it's still leaking, at least you know have a confirmed source. If you got lucky, you were able to seal it or dramatically slow it down.

Hope the above makes some sense. Good Luck!

It really does! Thank you mate!

 

[Gary P]

It's on its way! Woot!! Shipping was $26 in the end which makes me cry a bit but oh well.

So Sunday I started to get familiar with everything

Here's the lean burn carb...

...and here's the carb I have as a back up...

I'll follow Mancini's instructions to the letter, and if the LB carb is of no use, I'll switch it out. That's what I've decided to do.

But I have a question for you guys...what is this (below) - is it some sort of charcoal cannister/emissions type thing? Hoses go to and from the carb to this. I have to change out those hoses as they are cracked.

 

[Don Frelier]

I don't see anything to make me think its a lean burn sytem?

A couple questions:
1. Is there a module on the air cleaner that says 'Lean Burn'?
2. The picture with the trouble light, is that a Mopar Style ECU behind the light?
3. Can you get a picture under the cap of the distributor that's in there?
4. Does the distributor have a vacuum canister on the side?

 

[Gary P]

Hi Don yeah I’ve removed the lean burn air cleaner and computer module before I took the pic - sorry for the confusion brother.

 

[Don Frelier]

Hi Don yeah I’ve removed the lean burn air cleaner and computer module before I took the pic - sorry for the confusion brother.

OK just want to make sure your not buying and installing a bunch of parts you don't need.