Can anyone help me locate the oil return line on a ‘41 Ford engine that goes from the oil filter to the hollow bolt on the left side of the dist? I read some posts from (Kubes 40) from 11 years ago with lots of information, but I still come up short on my search. Thank you.
Oil line
- Thread starter mudflap
- Start date
51 MERC-CT
Well-known member
Are you looking for an oil line or where to locate it on the engine?
Kube
Super Moderator
In 1941 there was a fitting near the front - left of the oil pan that the return line went to. Later, as I recall, 1942, the oil dip stick boss had a threaded port that served this purpose and the dedicated fitting was eliminated.
I am fairly certain that in 1941 the oil lines were rigid (steel).
If authenticity doesn't matter to you, the flexible lines you seek are often found on eBay. Expect to pay around $25.
The oil return line was a flexible cloth covered line going from the bottom of the filter canister to a hollow bolt with a banjo flttlng on it. The hollow bolt is on the left side of the distributor and is one of the bolts that hold the distributor to the block. It doesn’t matter if it is flexible or steel, just so it works. If I knew how to fabricate one I would do it. Thank you, I will be checking e-bay.
Kube
Super Moderator
If you are running it to the timing gear cover, you'll need the flex line. Have you looked at your oil pan for a threaded boss?
Haven’t checked the pan. Engine is in the machine shop getting a rebuild, so things are on hold for now. Took a good look at the banjo fitting and think I can braze a steel line to it and either run a solid steel line or adapt a flex line to it. Thanks for everything so far.
KGS
Well-known member
Since your engine is in the machine shop, maybe the machinist could drill and tap a hole in the block on the left side, just above the pan rail, for the oil return line like the 8BA blocks had from the factory. If you're going for authentic, then this won't be correct.
51 MERC-CT
Well-known member
KGS
Well-known member
Wow, thanks for that input. I wasn't aware that it was a passageway cast into the block. Just goes to show that ya don't know what ya don't know.DON'T DO IT, 8BA engines have a passageway cast into the block for that purpose.
Such a misguided procedure could possibly open a passageway into the water jacket.
Sorry for the misguidance...
alanwoodieman
Well-known member
if it is in the machine shop take a steel coupling and drill a hole thru the pan and weld the coupling into it and then you can run a hard line to that, if you prefer going into the timing cover then PM me for some more help
TerryOH
Well-known member
The 41 Ford should not have an 8BA engine. Unless it has been put there as a replacement. I believe the 41 engine model 11A should have the flexible line to return oil to the engine. Do check your oil pan dip stick boss for a special fitting or the side of the pan for a special fitting for a hard line. See if the pan special fitting has been drilled, through the pan, to accept a filter return line I have a few NOS Flex lines that use the special bolt. They are made by Fram.