MGB: Oil leak! Arrrgghh!

I cannot find this oil leak on my 72. When I run it, it leaks several ounces in about 5 mins. It seems to puddle right under where the battery cables connect to the starter. It is not coming from the block. I tighted the oil pan bolts, and that seemed to help, but it still leaks. there is what appears to be the end of a cotter pin sticking out from the bell housing -- on the gearbox side, right in the middle on the bottom that appears to be dripping engine oil, even when at rest. Sometimes, I see a small amount of engine oil on an oil pan bolt.

Lastly, there are 3 bell housing bolts missing! Could this keep the rear oil seal from sealing?

Sleepless in Atlanta
Kelly Bell
72 B

Leaking rear main seal is a possibility. The hole with the cotter pin sticking out of it is to allow oil leaks from the rear main or the transmission front seal to leak out, rather that building up on contaminating the clutch disk. The cotter key was a latter addition. It seams the leaking oil tended to collect dust and it eventually would plug up the hole. The cotter key is there to 'jiggle' around and keep the hole clear.
(Thats the story the way I heard it....)

Sure sounds like the rear main to me. But double check the oil pressure line and oil filter adapter to be sure.
Back of valve cover will leak but not in the volumne you are seeing.

I've checked that. I HATE to have to pull the engine!
kelly bell
72 B

Well Kelly, it's a lot easier than laying on your back! Might as well do your rod bearings at the same time. :o)

but it sure does sound like the rear main. Sorry.

(Unless one of you others can think of something else???)

As i said, rear main, or front transmission seal. Which is loosing oil?

There is another possible-the back of the oil pan could be the culpert. I have a leak on my 72 that I thought was the rear main, but I popped the plug out of the rear engine plate so I could stick my finger and feel around and found no oil on the inside of the plate. That was a relief becuz it was a new engine rebuild and a new tranny. Problem appears to be the oil pan gasket as I can feel the oil coming down the front of the engine plate. It runs down and collects on the lowest part of the bellhousing so it looks like it was coming from inside. Clean things up real good and recheck before you start pulling your engine!

The back of the oil pan would leak down the rear plate or off the bottom of the pan, it wouldn't leak out the drip hole in the bell housing.

I cleaned and detailed the entire underside of the car. Ran it, and SAW drops coming from the oil pan gasket. Went to the parts place, got a gasket & went to it. Well, 10 hours later, I got it off! Geez! I hope this is it!

One question -- I also got 2 engine mounts while I was at it, but I can't seem to jack up the engine far enuf to get them in. Am I doing it wrong?

If it is a PITA, I won't change them, but I thought as long as I was doing it. Any help??

Kelly Bell
72 B