Oil Leak From Cotter Pin

M

ModelAMadMan

New member
Newbie here, this is my first post. I have a '31 Model A Deluxe Roadster with an oil leak. I recently had the engine rebuilt because it was seized up with a blown head gasket. I know that a small leak from the cotter pin is supposed to be considered normal but I have a steady stream coming from the cotter pin. I would consider this size of leak to be major.

I took the car back once to the guy that rebuilt it for me and he seemed to think that oil had leaked into the bell housing when it was being loaded back up on the trailer because of the angle it was at. I'm not sure what he did to it the second time because it still has this big leak.

Now when I try to call him he conveniently doesn't answer his phone. I think I've been hosed and am stuck with this leak. So it looks as though I have about 3 options: 1. try to figure out the problem on my own. I've already driven it around my neighborhood without the oil cap on to see if it had pressure in the oil pan. That wasn't it. 2. try to hound this guy and finally get a hold of him to get him to fix the problem. or 3. Call it loss from the first guy and find a new guy to fix the problem for me. I have very limited knowhow/time/tools/space to fix this on my own unless it's something minor. I'm willing to give it a shot if it's a somewhat easy fix. Does anyone out here in Model A land have an idea what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Ken
 
I have pretty much the same problem myself. Just started up my new rebuilt engine and it really leaks. I've been looking around here at postings about rear main bearing and oil seal. A lot of interesting reading. But, I guess, if not high internal pressure, and not too much oil inside, it will be no easy fix. Probably will have to lift out the engine to take a better look. Hopefully the rear main bearing is still in good helath, if not you'll need to pour some babbit again, but if still healthy, it might be a leakage from the end of the camshaft. Do some search on rear main bearing here on the A forum, it's a lot to learn. Wish you all the luck! And, if you find a way out, I would be really happy to know, might be that could help me out as well!

Steinar
 
Go to www.mafca.com. Then go to clubs in your area of Texas Lots of Model A guys there. And I am sure you could chat with them and make a seminar at one of their club meetings to help you out. Keep us informed what you find. Give them a call. They will come!!! Good Luck. Gary
 
You should get in touch with one of the reputable re-builders on FordBarn or in your area, or a reference from a club member near you. It does sound like the guy is avoiding you, but don't give up, if even for a refund. From what I've heard here, it could be a simple fix, or a costly one. It will have to come apart to find out....
 
Too many variables on a new rebuild. There are several mods to the rear that use different seals (most don't work) done to stop oil from leaking. Owners should face the fact that a little oil from the rear is normal and these are not modern pressurized engines that use lip type seals. There are seals that do a good to great job of controlling leaks but I am not sure any are foolproof. Keep on the builder, even though he probably won't answer, use a different phone so his caller ID won't let him know it is you. You can do this several times with different phones so you can get an answer. A leak that is a steady stream is not normal and should be addressed.
 
And then report him to the local Better Business Bureau and your local Chamber of Commerce if still no response and /or satisfaction. If a business and not a hobby, also post the info here so no one else gets "burned". JMO
Paul in CT
 
ModelAMadMan,

Be as diplomatic as you can but hold the builder to any major issues, keep trying to reach him, visit if you can,

good luck,
 
As james Rodgers (above) said some leaking on a rebuilt Model A engine is normal. A steady drip or run is not normal.

Where in Texas are you?
 
Funny but I just talked to a guy about this last night at the Old Town Cruise in in Kissimmee, Florida, and he said it was probably a leaking oil pan gasket. He suggested that I put in new gaskets but take the rope gasket and put it in a coffee can for a few days so it can take the proper shape. If I remember I had a heck of a time getting that gasket to stick.
 
While you are trying to contact the re-builder, this might help find the source of the leak, but do not take apart anything as the re-builder will void the warranty.

http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/REARMAINLEAK.html




ModelAMadMan said:
Newbie here, this is my first post. I have a '31 Model A Deluxe Roadster with an oil leak. I recently had the engine rebuilt because it was seized up with a blown head gasket. I know that a small leak from the cotter pin is supposed to be considered normal but I have a steady stream coming from the cotter pin. I would consider this size of leak to be major.

I took the car back once to the guy that rebuilt it for me and he seemed to think that oil had leaked into the bell housing when it was being loaded back up on the trailer because of the angle it was at. I'm not sure what he did to it the second time because it still has this big leak.

Now when I try to call him he conveniently doesn't answer his phone. I think I've been hosed and am stuck with this leak. So it looks as though I have about 3 options: 1. try to figure out the problem on my own. I've already driven it around my neighborhood without the oil cap on to see if it had pressure in the oil pan. That wasn't it. 2. try to hound this guy and finally get a hold of him to get him to fix the problem. or 3. Call it loss from the first guy and find a new guy to fix the problem for me. I have very limited knowhow/time/tools/space to fix this on my own unless it's something minor. I'm willing to give it a shot if it's a somewhat easy fix. Does anyone out here in Model A land have an idea what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Ken
Click to expand...
 
There is a drain back tube attached to the bottom of the rear main bearing cap. It's purpose is to drain the oil that collects at the rear main seal and dump it back into the pan. It is possible that this tube is plugged up with crud, or slag from when they line bored the mains. This is a factor that is often over looked by engine builders.

A simple solution is to drop the pan and remove the rear main cap and check to see if the return pipe is open (or if one is actually there).

Tom Endy
 
How to Restore your Model A Vol 6 pg 11 Has an excellent article by Les Andrews On what to look for a rear main leak and fixes.
 
Take Tom Endy's advice, above, and when you put the pan back on make sure the rear cork is right. I have a rebuilt from a very reputable builder, that had sat for a few years and apparently the gasket dried out. I changed it, leak slowed, re-tightened it (carefully) twice after warming the engine and the leak is now acceptable. Less than a fifty cent piece overnight.
 
I would think that this Board of Model A enthusiasts has a lot more influence over a business than the Better Business Bureau, and I would think if you wind up determining that his work is not backed up, and he blows you away on a problem that shouldn't be yours, Fordbarn members should be made aware of this.
Yours might also be an unusual problem for this engine rebuilding, or he might be someone who should find a different trade.
I, for one, have had VERY GOOD RESPONSES and good results with my newly rebuilt engine from ANTIQUE ENGINE REBUILDING in Skokie, IL.
 
I keep hearing all this crock about model A's are supposed to leak.
BS!! None of my rebuilds ever leaked and still don't...It is just dumb metal and if you use modern techniques and properly designed parts there is no more reason for them to leak than a modern car.
For those that build 500 point cars and have to use the old stuff, expect them to leak.
 
Pete said:
I keep hearing all this crock about model A's are supposed to leak.
BS!! None of my rebuilds ever leaked and still don't...It is just dumb metal and if you use modern techniques and properly designed parts there is no more reason for them to leak than a modern car.
For those that build 500 point cars and have to use the old stuff, expect them to leak.
Click to expand...

My well worn engine uses old stuff and doesn't leak.
 
Make sure you haven't overfilled it. That happened to a barner the other day - didn't have the dipstick all the way into the block. Also, it has been my observation that a lot, if not all, Model A's like the oil level to be about a 1/2 quart low according to the dipstick. If you fill them to the full mark they will leak quite a bit until they have shed that extra 1/2 quart then settle down.
 
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