Engine: engine oil in coolant

[TXmark]

I drained my radiator and found oil in my coolant, enough that it covered the entire of the drain pan surface an 1/8" I would say 8 ounces or maybe a little more. The anti freeze was almost black. So my question is is there an oil passage in the head close to a coolant passage, where it may be leaking by? BTW there does not seem to be any coolant in the oil. I have a 289 full flow

[BobPalma]

If the anti-freeze itself was almost black, Mark, it means that combustion materials are entering the cooling system somewhere, like a cracked head or leaking head gasket.

Remove the spark plugs and examine them carefully. If one or two look strangely different from the others, you've identified questionable cylinders. Run a compression test on the whole engine and, at a minimum, run a leak-down test on the one or more suspect cylinders.

I suspect that when you find the reason the anti-freeze was almost black, you'll find the reason for the oil-into-coolant at the same time, which will be a cracked head or leaking head gasket.

A final thought: Does your car have an automatic transmission? Is it water cooled, with coolant lines running to the bottom of the radiator? If so, that might be the source of the oil getting into the coolant; if the transmission cooler tank inside the radiator has been compromised. BP

[TXmark]

Auto no, It's a 4 speed car

[BobPalma]

Auto no, It's a 4 speed car

Good. That rules out the transmission cooler possibility. BP

[TXmark]

I pulled the plugs they all are a nice beige grey, except #6 it oily, not caked, could be coolant
compression test 8,7,6,5,4,1 120# 2&3 100#
looks like #6 may be the winner. I was going to drive to TriState meet

I'm going to do a leak test on six, but not today. I work 11 pm to 7 am time to get some sleep.

[TXmark]

head's off

I pulled the suspected head off yesterday, heads not cracked. I did not see any problems with the head gasket either

[warrlaw1]

A little late now that the head's off, but there is a dye that one can add to the coolant and hopefully it will show up where there's a leak. Good luck.

[StudeRich]

Those Two Intakes on the right sure look a LOT different color than the Left Two, more Gray not black and they are not original Studebaker tulip heads like the others. The leak COULD be between the two right Cyl's. all were too Rich, way too much fuel.

[swvalcon]

Pull the cover for the lifter valley being you have the heads and intake off and look at the sides of the block above the lifter for anything that looks odd. I've seen other brands where the block cracked in that area and pushed oil into the water.