oil seeping between head and block

[H555]

I've cleaned the engine a couple of times to make sure I've got all the usual leaks fixed (we got this car, 66 mustang, 200 ci. c4 about 18 months ago. going thru 1st level engine, suspension and steering upgrades. noticed yesterday that it looks like a small amount of oil is seeping out between the head and the block, replaced the valve cover gasket and this leaks starts much lower than that. compression test a few weeks ago was, 135, 135, 155, 155, 160, 155. don't have the vehicle history so I don't know when it was rebuilt. does have a fair repaint from some time ago. someone suggested that the difference in compression could be a head gasket problem, have others had oil seep this way from a bad head gasket? odometer has around 70K miles, I can't believe this is an untouched engine, the usual minor rust around the rear quarters, a tad on the roof line. lots of orange peel. engine does have some evidence of having been repainted (blue), that's all stripped off where the oil leaks out. thank you.

 

[wallaka]

Could very well be a head gasket. They often weep coolant on the driver's side...oil could leak out as well. Luckily, it's only 20 bucks or so for a head gasket and it's easy to change.

 

[fordconvert]

Where is the leak? Which side?

 

[H555]

driver's side, right around #3 and #4. found another post from a couple of years ago with the same problem. not loosing enough oil to notice on the dipstick, not losing coolant either. need to keep this running till winter when i can pull the engine and have the machine work done. we always (now) deck our blocks to 0, do 3 angle valve jobs, probably going to find a later model 259 head with bigger valves and log and get some mild porting done too. and then the cam, and the dual chain cam drive and, and and,. my last small block MOPAR ended up with $3500 in machine and related work.

 

[fordconvert]

Could it be blowing out the dipstick? Isnt that near 3&4? PCV working as good as possible?

Anything that is not a small block chev seems to cost about $3500 to work on now days if you want it done right.

 

[LaGrasta]

Yes, mine weeps there too. I Simple Green the engine bay every so often and all seems to be well. Like you, the leak doesn't affect the overall oil level between oil changes (5,000 miles).

It's the chrome valve cover that leaks really bad. I think I'm going to cave and purchase a new Classic Inline cover as they are cast and can truly tighten down without warping. I hate to spend the money though as I like the smooth chrome look I have now.

Fordconvert: Check out ebay for killer deal crate motors, 289 and 302, for about $2500.

 

[mustang6]

Check the torque on those head bolts- I have found that over time they can become a little loose and allow seepage. At least you might be able to slow it down until you can rip it apart.