Heads and Oil Pan leaking - Upgrades? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

dma05 · 01-16-2022, 07:50 PM

Today I put some dye in my oil since I have noticed oil on my transmission bell housing (starts at the top and leaks down) and also under the oil pan and around the filter. I just changed the rear main crank cover, gasket, pilot bearing, oil galley when I installed my new Monster clutch. I’m pretty confident of my work and the dye showed that it wasn’t coming from there.

So I have a new oil pan gasket and all new bolts since GM changed them from 10mm to 13mm. I am cutting the crossmember and installing the flanges I received from CFD. That should take care of the pan leak.

Since I also saw small leaks from each head, I plan to take off the heads and replace the gaskets. I figure while I’m in there, I might as well as change out the lifters to the “Caddy” lifters and install new stock trays. Any preference on gaskets? Is OEM the best gasket?

Any good links or videos on the head removal/install?

I already replaced the complete Oil Cooler Assembly a month ago and that is still bone dry.

If you have any suggestions on what to add or replace while the heads are off, I would love to hear them.

Here are some pics of my current setup. I don’t think I’ve ever posted any pics of my setup before.

Thanks!

morepowerjoe · 01-17-2022, 02:55 AM

I used fel-pro for my head gaskets and arp head bolts, everything worked out great.

Risingson05 · 01-17-2022, 10:19 AM

I’d call around to make sure someone has the arp bolts in stock before counting on arp otherwise stock head bolts .torque to yield bolts, so I’m sure you know the deal with those .

dma05 · 01-17-2022, 01:52 PM

Should I get the heads resurfaced once they are out or just put in a new gasket, new bolts, and be on my way?

thanks

joshnmn · 01-17-2022, 02:14 PM

Ls9 gaskets
ARP head studs and send it

FasNuf · 01-17-2022, 04:07 PM

That's a beautiful setup. Love the valve covers too.

dma05 · 01-17-2022, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FasNuf

That's a beautiful setup. Love the valve covers too.

Thanks FasNuf!

1JEWLDSSRS · 01-17-2022, 05:49 PM

Yes those valve covers are nice without the coils on them. Where did you hide your coils to??

FasNuf · 01-17-2022, 06:43 PM

Yea, where did you stash those coils? LOL!

dma05 · 01-17-2022, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Yes those valve covers are nice without the coils on them. Where did you hide your coils to??

Thanks1JEWLDSSRS... The coils are down on the frame between the radiator and the block. I attached some photos.

dma05 · 01-17-2022, 08:11 PM

I just spoke with Dave at West Coast Cylinder Heads and he was a HUGE help. He said that there is no way there could be an oil leak from the heads as they don't pass through any pressurized oil. I told him the location and he thinks it's the valley cover since the oil is coming from the top of the transmission bellhousing and leaking down the side. It made perfect sense. I will be taking off the Supercharger and seeing if that valley cover is the actual issue.

I really appreciate honest guys and shops that are just looking to help and not sell something that doesn't need to be fixed.

FasNuf · 01-17-2022, 08:12 PM

Yikes! Looks like a nightmare to try and breakout all the wiring from the main harness to relocate, but love the result. Definately make it look a little old skool. ( in a good way )

dma05 · 01-17-2022, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FasNuf

Yikes! Looks like a nightmare to try and breakout all the wiring from the main harness to relocate, but love the result. Definately make it look a little old skool. ( in a good way )

I bought extensions sold by CBM. They also made the relocation brackets. It was actually pretty simple to do. The harder part was making the wire set. It was my first time cutting wires and crimping them, but it all worked out.

Pkeen · 01-17-2022, 08:27 PM

Don't know if it's been mentioned , but could be the oil pressure sensor!

01-16-2022, 07:50 PM	#1
dma05 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Azusa, CA Posts: 360	Heads and Oil Pan leaking - Upgrades? Today I put some dye in my oil since I have noticed oil on my transmission bell housing (starts at the top and leaks down) and also under the oil pan and around the filter. I just changed the rear main crank cover, gasket, pilot bearing, oil galley when I installed my new Monster clutch. I’m pretty confident of my work and the dye showed that it wasn’t coming from there. So I have a new oil pan gasket and all new bolts since GM changed them from 10mm to 13mm. I am cutting the crossmember and installing the flanges I received from CFD. That should take care of the pan leak. Since I also saw small leaks from each head, I plan to take off the heads and replace the gaskets. I figure while I’m in there, I might as well as change out the lifters to the “Caddy” lifters and install new stock trays. Any preference on gaskets? Is OEM the best gasket? Any good links or videos on the head removal/install? I already replaced the complete Oil Cooler Assembly a month ago and that is still bone dry. If you have any suggestions on what to add or replace while the heads are off, I would love to hear them. Here are some pics of my current setup. I don’t think I’ve ever posted any pics of my setup before. Thanks! Attached Images __________________ Allen 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS

01-17-2022, 02:55 AM	#2
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,104	I used fel-pro for my head gaskets and arp head bolts, everything worked out great. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

01-17-2022, 01:52 PM	#4
dma05 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Azusa, CA Posts: 360	Should I get the heads resurfaced once they are out or just put in a new gasket, new bolts, and be on my way? thanks __________________ Allen 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS

01-17-2022, 04:07 PM	#6
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,615 View My Garage	That's a beautiful setup. Love the valve covers too. __________________ . . . . https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgN...etl17hA/videos

01-17-2022, 05:49 PM	#8
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	Yes those valve covers are nice without the coils on them. Where did you hide your coils to?? __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

01-17-2022, 10:19 AM	#3
Risingson05 Drives: 2015 zl1 m6 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Alaska Posts: 702	I’d call around to make sure someone has the arp bolts in stock before counting on arp otherwise stock head bolts .torque to yield bolts, so I’m sure you know the deal with those .

01-17-2022, 02:14 PM	#5
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	Ls9 gaskets ARP head studs and send it

01-17-2022, 06:43 PM	#9
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,615 View My Garage	Yea, where did you stash those coils? LOL! __________________ . . . . https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgN...etl17hA/videos

01-17-2022, 08:11 PM	#11
dma05 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Azusa, CA Posts: 360	I just spoke with Dave at West Coast Cylinder Heads and he was a HUGE help. He said that there is no way there could be an oil leak from the heads as they don't pass through any pressurized oil. I told him the location and he thinks it's the valley cover since the oil is coming from the top of the transmission bellhousing and leaking down the side. It made perfect sense. I will be taking off the Supercharger and seeing if that valley cover is the actual issue. I really appreciate honest guys and shops that are just looking to help and not sell something that doesn't need to be fixed. __________________ Allen 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS

01-17-2022, 08:12 PM	#12
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,615 View My Garage	Yikes! Looks like a nightmare to try and breakout all the wiring from the main harness to relocate, but love the result. Definately make it look a little old skool. ( in a good way ) __________________ . . . . https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgN...etl17hA/videos

01-17-2022, 08:27 PM	#14
Pkeen Drives: 2010 Camaro 2ss/rs, 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Lake Pannasoffkee,Florida Posts: 246	Don't know if it's been mentioned , but could be the oil pressure sensor! __________________ 2010 Rally Yellow 2ss/rs , M6 ,416ci , K1 rods & crank,weisco -3.0cc dome pistons,.040 head gasket, 11.5 compression,1 3/4" LT ,3" pipes w/x-pipe no cats, Cam Motion cam 239/247 113+3 .621"/604" lift , BTR .660 Platinum dual springs w/Titanium retainers, CAI . Stock ls3 heads,intake,injectors & TB. 515rwhp/500rwtq.