Sheet Metal Adhesive

F

Fat Fender

Member
I installed my rebuild 59A engine in my '40, filled it with oil and curses, there was a slow leak (one drip about every 10 seconds). I traced it to a pin-hole in the bottom of the pan. Not wanting to pull the engine or the pan, I'm looking for a relatively easy way to fix this. So I'm thinking that there must be an adhesive to bond a piece of sheet matal patch over the hole. Can anyone recommend a product? Does this approach sound reasonable? As always, any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
You can drain the oil (you would have to drain it anyway) and clean the area of the hole to bare metal. Then slightly dimple and soft solder with a soldering gun. (This is good enough to be a permanent fix):)
 
Solder or brazing is the best choice.

JD Weld will work. Start with a good clean surface.
 
First try a small stainless flat head sheet metal screw with some RTV sealer or a very small "o" ring or rubber washer.
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If I had a brand new motor with a pin hole in the pan I'd either fix the pan right or put on another pan. Even if I had to pull it out.

Just my $.05
 
51 MERC-CT said:
You can drain the oil (you would have to drain it anyway) and clean the area of the hole to bare metal. Then slightly dimple and soft solder with a soldering gun. (This is good enough to be a permanent fix):)
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I AGREE;

About a year and a half ago, I fixed a simular leak I had in my oil pan. I was able to solder it BUT it takes a BIG Soldering Iron. I have a BIG old fashioned Electric Slodering Iron that got hot enough to tin the area around the hole and melt the solder proprely. I do not think a soldering gun will generate enough heat. After that, I made a patch about one inch in dia and bonded it over the repair with J B Weld. Everything must be clean and bright metal. Solder doesn't mind a little oil present if there is still a little weeping from the hole.

I feel this is a perminate repair and if I ever remove the pan, I may go ahead and weld it up.

The problem or using J B Weld by itself is that the surface has to be CLEAN and DRY, free of oil or moisture for it to work well. Even with the oil drained from the pan, there is still a little weeping out of the hole.

My opinion.

Chris
 
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butchbov said:
If I had a brand new motor with a pin hole in the pan I'd either fix the pan right or put on another pan. Even if I had to pull it out.

Just my $.05
Click to expand...

I'm with you. Do it once, do it correctly.
NOW is the time.
If there is ONE hole rusted through NOW, there are a number of others nearby and they will certainly show their ugly faces later.
Patching it? We used to have a name for that kind of fix. It is no longer politically correct.
 
If you have a pin hole leak it's from water in the pan and it just wouldn't be in one small area. Water is heavier that oil( I know it's hard to believe) that pan is just waiting to spring another leak. Find another pan. In the mean time use a magnet with permatex and it will hold till the next leak. Good Luck
 
I think the adhesive you're asking about would work to hold a patch on, but it has to be clean and free of oil. also, the stuff is expensive . Go to an automotive paint store; they will have it. I would probably try solder, if you're dead set against pulling the pan.
 
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