Two oil leaks identified:

One leak was at the oil filter adapter and was a mounting bolt for the adapter - the bolt had torqued up to spec in the block without seating against the adapter flange - either the bolt is too long or the block threads are not tapped deeply enough in the Diamante block.... it's now tightened and not leaking, but I'll want to remove the P/S bracket and filter adapter to retap that hole or change bolts.

With the leaking bolt above I couldn't tell if the thermostatic valve was leaking or not - so I replaced it with the original plug and washer until I can get some sort of seal washer for the valve - or I'll try it again without a washer after I'm certain the other leaks are fixed.

The other oil leak is from the bottom of the MLS head gasket at the rear of the engine - passenger side..... dripping on the starter shield.

Both main seals appear to be dry. So, the good news is the engine doesn't have to come out. The bad news is I'll want to replace the head gaskets with the OE composition ones that came in the rebuild package.

Since I had the heads and decks surfaced.... AND used head studs torqued to the equivalent of 110 lb-ft (oiled), this will probably be the first and last time I use MLS head gaskets. Before I installed them, I asked the machinist if he recommended Copper Spray-a-Gasket (I've heard it works).... he insisted the finish was fine for the gaskets and said to install them dry, so I did. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I guess my work is pre-planned for tomorrow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Frank