'85 with 97,000k. I noticed oil collecting along the deck surface at the back of the motor. everything is dry above the mating surface and I can't find any other source for the oil other than assuming it's coming from the head gasket. This leak doesn't seem to be anything serious at the moment, but I am wondering if any of you have experienced this. I am sure this is not coolant. Any input would be helpful. I am planning on using my slantedbox extensively over the next few months and want to address any problems before it turns into a major inconvenience.
Thanks

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1985 Dodge B250 Van

Is it possible it is draining out of your rocker cover?, I have one of the original covers that have a lip that goes over the gasket and it was hard to see oil coming directly from this area.

I would:
Check the rocker cover, possibly pull the rocker cover to double check that the gasket is fine/replace the gasket. What kind of rocker cover do you have? Cheapo Chinese, original, or cast etc.

Turn the engine on and wait to see if the oil leak re-appears. Perhaps clean the surface with a cloth and then have paper towel stuffed in that area to see exactly where the oil is coming from.

If rocker gasket is perfect and oil must be leaking from the head do this:

Have you done a compression test? If so what are your results?

If you can't do this I suggest that you pull the head check the head and deck surfaces to ensure they are perfectly flat and change the head gasket (what gasket are you using now). I believe that Felpro have some thicker gaskets that would be suitable.

My advice would be to shave the head and deck to ensure a correct mating surface / could possibly take the chance to bump up the compression a little.

If you need the car straight away, pull the head, clean everything, change to a thick gasket and keep fingers crossed and an eye on the oil level.

Hope this is of some help.

Head gaskets leaking oil seems to be commonplace on these engines, in my experience anyways. Stock, they use a single steel shim. If you change out to a Fel-pro (Or anything compared to the steel shim) you will lower your compression ratio by a small degree.

You would do well to have the head shaved to clean it up a bit, and keep the compression up. If you have the original '85 engine in there, it has hydraulic lifters, which means you can't shave all that much off the head, like you could with a solid lifter.

Others can chime in and let you know a safe cut to keep those hydraulic lifters happy.

~THOR~

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1984 D100 Shorty Custom
Certified Auto Appraiser - RevItUp Classic Appraisals
President - Cherry City Bombers CC
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Thanks for the input guys. This is the original hydraulic-lifter motor. I have experienced this with a few slants in the past and they never turned into disasters. When I aquired this slant last July, I had changed the rocker cover gasket and hosed the motor down so that i could observe any potential problems such as coolant leaks, oil, etc. When the time comes, I intend to service the head. I may also put a different cam in. Any recomendations for a cam? I want to stay hydraulic/stock valve size. I sometimes tow a small 8' utility trailer (2000#gross rating) full of wood so more torque would be welcome.

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1985 Dodge B250 Van