Still trying to locate oil leak...

[hal.lyman]

Thanks for your reply...sorry but I don't know what a TPS connector is....but ill take a guess...throttle position sensor? Do you recommend a way to proceed based on what you see here?

[Purple pit]

Dang I was doing a edit on my post and missed yours. You are correct on the throttle position sensor.

Going to need someone to chime in on the small block gasket. I did use one on my 3100.

[hal.lyman]

Ok. Thanks! What do you think of the o-ring on the oil distributer, does it look like it could cause a significant leak of (clean) oil ? Thanks!

[Purple pit]

Did you get the old O-ring off? I just cut mine off, lubed up the new one(with new 5w30) and slid it on.

[hal.lyman]

Not yet, I had to stop for the day. Does it look different then a new one? Is the new one significantly "fatter" ?

[Purple pit]

Damn this site is slow or it's my internet. Yeah that O-ring looks like mine did, a bit old and rotted. I had a good size leak that made a pool in that pocket area near the drive.

[Purple pit]

Fatter? A little, it's softer and more flexable and that is the key to it working. My old one was almost like a rock.

[hal.lyman]

Exactly! !!! Thank you! This is the first time I have tinkered with an engine in 30 years when I was building min bikes and the people on this forum have been so extraordinary helpful and nice! Because of this forum I have been able to diagnose, identify, and confirm the problem. My wife is going to be in (joyous) disbelief when I get her (first) car back together and running! Thank you again!!!

[Purple pit]

Well I must say you are doing a great job after all those years. Guess it all comes back?
Wow that is her first car?

[hal.lyman]

Yes, she is the original owner! 90+ k miles and soon to be going strong again. Thanks for the compliment. I have been pouring over the chilton ' s for untold hours since the leak became progressively worse in early summer, but the information and advice I have gotten on this forum surpasses anything I got from the book by light years. I'm having a blast getting dirty and saving money on a new car payment! IT feels great to be able to do this, I'm getting such a sense of personal satisfaction out of it!

[Purple pit]

Oh and be sure when you put the weatherpack seal back on the TPS connector that the pointed ends are facing the connector and not the sensor. That way when you push it in it will slip back and make a seal.

[hal.lyman]

Will do. Thanks!

[Purple pit]

Glad to help!

Oh crap forgot: some dielectic grease on the connector(any of them you took off) helps the connection and keeps moisture out(if any gets past the weatherpack).
Just a reminder if you forgot too.

[1988GTU]

The revised seal is updated and "brown" color. Should fit snug and require a "pop" to seat it down once the drive gear is lined up with the other gear.

As said, the old one should pretty much crumble as you pry it off indicating it being your leak.

[hal.lyman]

Wow, I didn't even realize that there was a seal under the top of the drive! I was thinking to seal up hoses with high temp silicon and clamps, and sealing the electronics with same, so to clarify what you are saying, there is a seal that has to go where the oil pump 'top' seats down on the block/intake manifold and electronic connections should be coated with dielectric grease before being reconnected? Also, I saw some talk somewhere about packing the drive with petroleum jelly or grease to maintain a prime on the system, should I be doing that?