Water in the oil!!!

Wareagle

Member
Been working on my 30 Tudor for the past two months. Got the body done and started putting it back together. Today, I decided to drain the old oil out and put in some 10w-30. Well low and behold, the first thing out of the drain hole was water. Ouch!! Not a lot but it was there. Where should I start looking? I got an old head with the car and it had a crack in it. Not sure if it even came off of this motor.
 
If it was only a tiny bit it could have been some condensation that settled to the bottom. Was it water or antifreeze?
 
Haven't touched the engine at all. When I got the car it had been sitting for 15 yrs or so in a garage. Ran it around the block and loaded it on the trailer. That is the only time I've run it. It wasn't much water, maybe a spoonful or so.
 
I'm planning on installing a 5.5 head before I put it on the street, hopefully next year. Is there anything else I should be looking at in the meantime?
 
With all the humidity in Ohio, I'd go along with condensation over the years. If you have access to a borescope take a peek through the drain plug opening.
 
Actually Bob, the guy was working on this car when he passed away. His daughter left it sit as he left it for over 15 yrs before having to clean out the shop. That's when I picked it up. All work that he had completed was good. He finished a 1929 coupe before starting on this one. The frame and all running gear had been finished and he had started on the body. He installed a new wood kit and had new patch panels in place. Body was done in epoxy primer. With all the work that he completed, I doubt he wood try and scam some one as he was intent on keeping both the 29 coupe and this car.
 
Well, that might rule out condensation from a cold engine as the source of the water.
Maybe never had a chance to seat the head gasket.
Bob
 
I had the same problem and found it during an oil change. My first thoughts were a loose head, so that was tightened down, and a check of the oil done a week later after a long engine run--same result, oil in the water, or should it be the other way, and because of an intermitent knock I pulled the motor. After checking the head for cracks, the next thing was the cylinder block, none visible, but there was a crack in #3 cylinder bore half way down and about 3/4 the diameter of the cylinder. It is/was bad enough to be able to feel it by running your thumb nail over it, so a rescue sleve and re-bore is in order. Re the bearings the caps need lapping and re shim all three mains and big-ends.
 
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