This is in my son's '81. The engine is about 1 1/2 years old since we built it (see specs if needed in profile). We have always put in 5 quarts with filter change, and the dipstick (not stock, nor is oil pan) has always measured at "fill" mark instead of "full" mark. He had the oil changed at a lube place today and they filled it to "full". They thought it was about 5 1/2 quarts, but I bet it was more than that. He also switched from 10W30 to 10W40. With 10W30 the oil pressure was 25 at idle (700 RPM) and would go up to about 50 when driving (1000 RPM and up). Since the oil change he now has 25 at idle, 60 when driving, and you can smell oil burning. Oil spots form on the ground pretty quickly after you stop the car and you can see drips in the street after he drives by. It looks like some from around the valve covers, but the bell housing is pretty wet. The bottom of the pan is clean, but I could not see the back of the block. It is dark and cold out.

Could too much oil blow out the seals, or was it a bad idea to switch to 10W40? Should we just give it a few days to settle down? The level is almost back down to "fill" on the dipstick already.

Thanks,
Clay

could be getting mixed up by the crank, making foam and coming out the breathers.

I had this happen while working on a race car. I was the only one to do the motor items. I changed the oil/filter etc and the car owner thinking I forgot to add oil added another 7 quarts. After about eight laps foamy oil was coming out of every hole. Took me a while to figure out what was going on.

Ok, it looks like the major oil leak is from a loose oil filter. You would think those guys would know better. Just another reason I like to do all of the car work myself!

Just curious, is that a chrome dip stick or an original? I haven't seen very many chrome sticks that read right.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by 81Baby:
Ok, it looks like the major oil leak is from a loose oil filter. You would think those guys would know better. Just another reason I like to do all of the car work myself!</font>

The filter could have two gaskets too! If you are crawling under the car anyway... Don't just tighten it. Take it off and dump the oil out of it to get the level down to normal. Check the sealing surface and be sure there is only one gasket.

On second thought... take it back to the inDUHviduals at the lube place and have them do it. They should buy you a can of engine degreaser too!