oil leak solved!

[Maclab58]

I posted a thread last week regarding a oil leak coming from what I felt was the rear oil seal or around the rear crank journal. When i initially removed the valve cover i found 6-8 pipe cleaners stuffed down the rear oil hole in the block feeding ther rear journal. I received numerous helpful hints and I followed the advice of Dennis Piranio a well known Model A engine builder in Denton Tx. He advised it was probably due to wear in the Babbitt bearing and suggested I pull the rear crank journal remove a shim from one side, reinstall and torque down. turn the engine with the hand crank. Repeat the process one side at a time until I couldnt turn the engine. Then reinstall one shim and put it all back together. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no leak larger than a nickel! the entire job took about three hours and cost about $20 for a pan gasket set! BARGAIN!

 

[Earle]

Do you have any idea about the origin of the pipe cleaners and why they were there?!! 6-8 even! That's weird!

You're lucky that the oil-starvation of the rear main bearing didn't result in bigger problems!

Earle

 

[Maclab58]

best I can figure is that the pipe cleaners slowed down the leak. as you pointed out its a lucky thing that it didnt smoke that rear bearing.

 

[Special Coupe Frank]

That's where I usually store my spare pipe-cleaners...

 

[quickchange]

Naw he was a smoker?? or the engine was , Derek cool early spring day ??? in NZ

 

[Ron in Quincy]

Thank goodness the rear main had shims; sure glad you solved your oil leak.

Happy motoring !!!!!

Ron

 

[Bassman/NZ]

Naw he was a smoker?? or the engine was , Derek cool early spring day ??? in NZ

You're a bit optimistic aren't you Derek?

 

[Cajun]

I have found that Dennis Piranio really knows his stuff.

 

[Mike Mc]

Spring? Not in Wellington!