i inherited a 78 W150 with a 360 recently. It hadnt run in 10 years and the other day i finally got it started and it ran pretty well. changed the oil and the next day there was a pretty good oil leak out the back of the engine. before i go searching for the problem, does anyone know if there was a usual problem with anything back there? im thinkin its the rear main. .......Also the body is in rough shape but i'd atleast like to get started putting the trim pieces on that ran down the side (the rivets sticking out are pretty annoying). anyone know where to get them?
Oldblue1978
03-04-2009, 12:07 PM
hi csmurph13, I have a 78 W150 as well, with a 400BB and the same thing happened with mine, rear main seal went out and when i tried to fix it, I ended up having to yank the engine. As a result I just rebuilt it totally. I think the rear mains of the big block & small block are fairly similar, they are of a two-piece design, of which is fairly problematic if not installed properly. Are you sure it's oil? it could also be tranny fluid and if it hadn't run in 10 years, the tranny fluid could be dark enough to resemble engine oil, the only way to tell is to smell it. tranny fluid smells kind of sweet, whereas engine oil smells somewhat bitter with a hint of hydrocarbon exhaust smell. you can also smell the additives they put in engine oil.
As for the side trim, you'll have to start scanning your local area for salvager yards that specialize in older Dodge pick-ups. Old Power Wagons like yours and mine are getting pretty scarce these days. Most have been crushed. I dealt with a place in Iowa of which he has a very large supply of vintage parts. He doesn't crush anything, and he's a really nice guy. Gave me a really good deal on alot of parts I got for my Power Wagon. Doug's Four Wheelers in Pella, Iowa 641-628-2755. Tell him Charlie w/ the viper blue power wagon sent ya. He might laugh and try to charge you double, but he's a really swift joker, lol! Check with him about whether or not he'll ship the side trim to you.
Oldblue1978
03-04-2009, 12:13 PM
on more thing, DO NOT put any stop leak additives in there as they will almost certainly cause more problems to appear. Also, you could have a problem with the PCV valve not venting the crankcase. When that happens, the rear main seal gives way to the crank pressures and leaks. Check your PCV valve and make sure it's open and hooked up to the 3/8" port on the base of the carburetor. if all is good with the PCV then I would run the next thickest viscosity oil. it won't totally stop leakin gbut it will not leak as bad. I'm willing to bet it is a problem with youir crankcase ventilation system.
sgillett
03-04-2009, 03:37 PM
Check the oil pressure sender first!
I had a big leak at the rear of the motor and that was all it was!
Simple things first.
My $.02
DiverDwnPowrRam
03-04-2009, 04:41 PM
ditto on what Squillett says and also could be back of the valve covers...worst case it is the bottom seals.
acton mike
03-04-2009, 10:25 PM
If you have access to a power washer, using a de-greaser and GENTLE PRESSURE, give the engine a good cleaning
Then, fire it up and look for your leak
if nothing else, a clean engine makes repairing the leak, whatever the cause, a heck of a lot easier
csmurph13
03-04-2009, 10:35 PM
'preciate all the replies :worthy:- i got her cranked, loaded on a trailer, and to my father in laws shop today. He has a lift which will help with changin shocks and hopefully most of the bushings soon. Im gonna take a good look at it tomorrow mornin and see whats goin on.
csmurph13
03-04-2009, 10:37 PM
acton mike-thats a fantastic idea- i got two cans of degreaser earlier! if nothing else its looking a lot better!
