Investigating more things on the 63 CDV

[Kim K Kaiser]

Well,  i got the valve covers back on , had to replace one twice as I had got on the bolts too strong after miss reading the book lbs pressure.  it had split the gasket, so i got antothe set, and replaced, doesnt appear to be any fresh oil on the bottom or running down,  on either bolt or either side,  

that PS pump is definitely leaking, tried the lucas PS leak stop,, no go,  so, its either replace or rebuild.  

while crawling around under, i was investigating wet spots under neath,, Now i think some of the grit and grime and fluid on the block was from the power steering pump leak,, its messy,  AND, the leaking from the valve gaskets,, they were pretty steady down the block.

the fuel pump looks like its wet but it getting spewed on from PS pump,, the smell of the fluid is basically nill, no gas smell at all, and since its a fuel pump, would think that would be a good indicator.  

moving over to the oil pump,  it seems to have a sheen on it, and getting under neath, i am pretty sure that it has a leaking gasket or is damaged. the slick starts at the top bolt area,, because  there is no indication of fluid or leak above it,, its dry above that connection.i dont know if i should just give it a quick tighten, or if that will have the same effect as over tight on the valve covers.  but i am pretty sure that much of the grime on this side of the block is from older leaking valve covers AND the leaking pump,  and the leaking radiator that i replaced this summer.

moving down the frame.. noted  some fluid on the Transmission pan,, i looked around, and it appears that there is about a one inch metal tube that sits right above the transmission drain bolt.  it was sort of wet, dried it off and it was definitely fresh.  so i traced it back and it appears to be the transmission stick pipe holder, where it goes into the top corner of the transmission pan that says HYDRO MATIC stamped on it.

SO

question 1,  PS pump,, degree of difficulty,, rebuild or replace,, >> its a pretty cheap part, appx 75 80 dollar.

question 2, oil pump,, would this more likely be a gasket replacement ??  if so,, degree of difficulty 1 -10 with 10 being way out of my league..for either gasket replace or full pump replace 

or, should a replacement be purchased and get it over with.  

question 3, the transmission stick pipe repair,  degree of difficulty   1 - 10..

given these leaks dont really leave any spots, (except the PS pump) on the ground.  Is there any engine crushing danger if i continue to drive,  checking fluids after each drive and every fill up.

as always , input appreciated.

Kim

[3n49omug8n28i]

For question 1 would replace the hoses if they haven't been done. If they are original it's cheap insurance also. They are usually the culprit for power steering pump leaks. For 2 I had oil on different parts of my engine front. I thought is was fuel pump or oil pump gaskets but it ended up being the harmonic balancer. It had a very slight wear grove from the seal. I installed a new seal and a sleeve over the balancer shaft. All is available on rock auto.

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

You have to look at it this way. If I mess up, what can go wrong?

 Questions;

1. If you can afford to replace the PS pump, go for it. Plan on replacing the low pressure return line also.  The old one will be rock hard.  Rating is 2 easy.

2. The oil pump pressure regulator is in the oil pump end cap.  Mine has a film of oil on it, but it does not leak.  Just give the 4 bolts a quick tightening. Just snug them up. The housing is aluminum, so you do not want to over torque and strip the threads.   To replace the gasket, the cover plate comes off, and the oil pump gears will fall out.   Once the new gasket is back on, remove the oil filter housing with the 3 bolts, and fill the pump with oil.   Rating difficulty is a 6 because it is the oil pump and you need to do it right the first time.

3.  The transmission dipstick tube can be a Rating of a 10, if done correctly. The transmission oil pan and valve body need to come off.  There is a O ring inside the transmission, where the tube slides in.  That needs to be replaced.

The tube has a cup that looks like a gasket goes there, but no gasket is shown in the parts books.  A slathering of RTV on a clean surface will do the trick.

Just removing the dip stick tube and cleaning the area for RTV will do the trick. Rating is a 2  Make sure the mount bracket that goes to the back bolt on the exhaust manifold is not broken.

[Kim K Kaiser]

ok,, will work on that,, tired of these drip spots!!   

is the low pressure line the top line or the bottom,, or should i just replace both,, 

[Kim K Kaiser]

yes i replaced radiator hoses when  replaced it back in the summer, s o i am good there,  i did notice some of the fuel line hoses that hooked to the metal lines as they ran up to the engine looked sort of bad as well,,, will try to get to those soon as well...

[Kim K Kaiser]

Thanks all,,,got the gunk,, may just rent a power washer and do the clean off,, up here in MT, lots of run off go directly to the Yellowstone river, so i dont want to be a polluter,, i do know that a lot of stuff got gummed up when that radiator leaked, the prior owner said it went on for some time, i used a chisel to scrap off a lot of that stuff,,,but it was mostly on the under frame pieces,,, i have been intermittently spraying with brake cleaner and wiping it off with a rag,, its tedious but am getting good looks at the underside...

i am sad to say, i really like my 63 over my 73 eldo convert..i have a big decision coming up,  do i trailer the 63 back to MS for the winter or do i trailer the 73,, hell we dont get much winter in MS so top down is a regular thing,, , i thought the 73 was the bees knees until i got the 63 cdv, just a much more stylish car,, plus the convert is just no damn fun in the rain or cold with top up,, all the air and noises, just not as much fun,,,its just a top down car, top up is a real drag... but it is still a fun car to drive,, LOTS of power in the 73,, i think i said earlier, it will pop your head back if you hit the pedal hard.. not something i like to do, but occasionally, just like to feel the power,, as it were..

[3n49omug8n28i]

Great post on your cars Kim. I can just imagine you trying to figure out what one to drive. Lol when I separated from my ex I gave her my convertible Mercedes 560sl. Just a beautiful car in exceptional shape. It's got higher mileage but you would never know it to look at it, it's so clean. I may still end up with it but two's company and threes a crowd even with cars. LOL

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Clovis, you nailed that saying. Three is a crowd, and that's why I sold the hearse. If I only had the room.

[Kim K Kaiser]

Tony,,and all,, i was starting doing the gunk thing, also got out a mobile light camera,, one of those things with a light on the end with a camera lens anyo look at it on a pistol grip screen,, pretty neat, it shot light up in spots my flashlight cant get too,,, anyway,, 

while gunking,, i noticed the big wire that runs from the battery to the starter, I'm guess ing is pretty original as it is a fabric type weave has about a one inch section that is COMPLETELY exposed,, bare wire,, figure that needs replacing, huh??

anyway, is that a standard oreilly parts store wire or is it a wire that needs to be ordered from a cadillac parts house,, it looks like a pretty thick wire,, 

i put electrical tape on it for now,, but wasnt sure what that is called or if its readily available..

Sincerely

Kim