Model B motor seized

Jembow

Jembow

Senior Member
It started leaking oil from the front of the motor and 2 days later seized solid. I've pulled the sump, all looks normal. Any thoughts?
 
Bearings or pistons. Remove one rod cap and try pushing the piston up in the bore.

Probably the best thing to do is to remove the engine from the car and put it on an engine stand. Then start taking it apart piece by piece. You will quickly discover the problem and be able to fix it. There may be something seriously wrong.
 
Yes, obviously way to go. But I'm still curious why it started blowing oil out the front main seal.
 
If the oil filler tube was clogged with Brillo scouring pad (that was so popular in the 1970's = another bad idea submitted by the Peanut Gallery), the internal pressure would force oil out of the most convenient location. If the oil level was too low to begin with, this extra massive oil loss might have been the trigger that starved the bearings for oil. That would seize up the engine quickly.
If the oil pump failed due to stripped gears or a broken shaft, the engine would likewise be starved for oil and seize. This happened to my Model B engine with a repo Riley Two-Port OHV conversion while on a cross-country drive in 2003. The pump shaft broke and the engine locked up.
Marshall
 
Good point about the oil pump, I'll check that out. Babbit bearings and rope seal, no apparent damage on visual inspection.
 
I'm going to admit to being stupid. It was the starter jammed into the ring gear. I've owned this 28 RPU for 46 yrs, I'm 77, my wife has Alzheimer's, I decided to reduce the collection and sold it. New owner did classic newbie error of failing to retard spark when starting. Brought it back to me to investigate and I got sidetracked by the front oil leak. That was a red herring, the rope seal failed, not a bearing problem. No big deal, the sump had to come off to fix that. Sorry to waste everyone's time.
 
Thanks for the update Sorry to hear about your wife Hopefully the new owner won't stumble on to some new owner newbie problems again.
 
No waste of time, thats what this place is about. And reminding everyone about retarding
the spark, especially the newbies is always good. Glad you found the problem.
 
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