oil in coolant?!?

[67gt500]

OK let me throw this out to you guys. I have a brand new motor ( I completely rebuilt it ) in my 87 ssp. everything was checked for cracks at the machine shop. finished the break in and found I have engine oil in my coolant, but no coolant in the engine oil. disconnected the oil cooler as a possible culprit, flushed numerous times and it is still getting in.
Any ideas?

[93chipper]

auto tranny cooler? maybe a residual oil from the rebuild

[67gt500]

I thought that was a possibility and put a new radiator in it. It is definately engine oil. After each step I flushed with prestone cleaner. I dont want to throw parts at it. I'm want to diagnose the problem. Cheaper that way.

[28HopUp]

everything was checked for cracks at the machine shop.

Perhaps one of the head gaskets? I'm not familiar with the fuel injected intakes, but perhaps there is a gasket issue where it meets the heads? Since you are finding oil in the coolant, I'm puzzled that you are not seeing any signs of coolant in the oil...

[67gt500]

That is what's really strange. If i found coolant in the oil, it would be a fairly easy diagnosis. That is why I thought the trans / eng oil coolers, has to be a place where oil pressure exceeds coolant pressure.

[GSPI]

How have you diagnosed the coolers? I agree that it would be the most logical place but have you pressure tested the coolers? Might want to fill the cooler with water after capping off one end and pressurize with 15-20 psi air (make sure you have a gauge on it) and watch for loss of pressure. If it drops over time you have a pinhole leak in it most likely.

I was looking at the water pump inlet area and do not see any way for oil to be drawn in there so it really has to be in the area of a heat exchanger like the oil coolers.

[67gt500]

Not the oil cooler, took it off and flushed, still getting in somewhere. Timing cover is new also, so no worries about corroded cover

[w4ata]

My 89 had the same problem when I got it. Turned out to be a gasket issue between the lower intake and the engine. Not serious but a pain. Same thing, oil in the coolant but no coolant in the oil.

[67gt500]

I wanted to follow up on this just in case it comes up again in the future. I did get the problem solved and fixed. It was a lower intake manifold to head gasket that was not seated properly, allowing small amounts of oil in. new gaskets and its like new!
Thanks to all for the input!

P.S. I also spoke with a guy familiar with ssp's in my area and he has seen a few engine coolers go bad. almost impossible to pressurize it from the oil side but he has done it.