oil leak 454

Oil leaks from the bottom, but probably started somewhere else higher up. Get it all clean with brake parts cleaner and spray a light coat of flat white paint where you think it may be coming from (will wipe off with lacquer thinner later) so it will leave a trail. The oil sender sensor is down there on the port side, oil filter too. Valve cover gasket seems likely, replace with blue reusable silicon gaskets. Unfortunately, the exhaust manifolds must come off to get to the valve cover hold down bolts, unless someone knows a trick I don't, and they are heavy, awkward, and need new gaskets and lots of surface prep to reinstall.
If it comes to it, the transmission is a lot easier to remove than the engine, not to mention much lighter.
Lets hope it's the oil sender unit, you don't have to remove anything else to get at it!

What color is the oil?

Dark Brown

Pete Is it easier to pull motor with transmission. as 1 unit or motor only .leaving. transmission in boat. Thxs all

8122pbrainard wrote: I would pull the engine and trans as one.

+1

hotboat wrote: [QUOTE=cbr1000dude] Unfortunately, the exhaust manifolds must come off to get to the valve cover hold down bolts, unless someone knows a trick I don't If you loosen the manifold bolts it will lean outward, .25 inch drive swivel head socket will do it

Yes, if they have been removed in the recent past and don't tear the gaskets, but if it's like the three I've done, it's going to be a job! The bolts like to strip or break as well. But I'll use your suggestion to retighten mine later on. I got both surfaces clean and shiny, and used anti seize on the new ss bolts.