A few months ago my car started running really rough for about a week, then one day it just wouldn't start when I went out to move it. I didn't notice, but I cranked on it for a long time, and my friend told me that there was a puddle of oil under the car. I looked and there was about a 1 foot by 2 foot patch of oil in the parking lot. I had just put the engine together about 750 miles ago so I thought that it might have something to do with now retorquing the head bolts after assembly becaue it had been putting out white smoke when it was running rough as well. I didn't have my tools out at school so I just deciding to leave it alone until I came home for Christmas break. I was looking at my car tonight up on jackstands and couldn't find anywhere that oild was leaking from. So I recharged the battery several times and cranked on it for about a minute total, before I got the oil to finally start coming out again. It turns out the oil was coming out of the seal between the block and the oil filter. It cranked with a fairly normal oil pressure so I thought that something might be clogged in the filter and I replaced it. Now the car still won't start when it has spark and fuel. I haven't gone in depth on testing either, but I know that each has atleast some activity. Could the problems be related, or did one cause the other? I'm completely stumped here. Any input would be great.

Setup:
Stock top end, CAI, LT, 357 splayed 4 bolt with Callies Stealth crank, Eagle rods, TRW pistons, Poly Dyn coated bearings, Speed Pro rings


Thanks,
Troop

 

There is a hole above the oil fiter that requires a pipe plug. It could have been missed.

 

I don't believe they are related. You need to verify spark for a "hot" spark; you can get a spark gap tester for around $10. My friend's 96 TA had a bad coil that would produce a spark, but not a hot spark, causing his car not to start.

The oil plug must have been in the block above the filter if you've been driving the car, but if it wasn't tight it could cause an oil leak. Also check that an old oil seal, from the filter, didn't stick to the mounting surface; double oil seals will cause an oil leak.