The Ford Barn

New2modelA · 03-11-2022, 01:19 PM

Hello All!

I found a puddle of oil at the front of my recently installed oil pan.

Took me FOREVER to find the culprit!

It is coming from the strange slot ( see the attachment) , at the front right of the pan. I could seal it up BUT. I would rather be safe then sorry....Am I missing some component OR can I use Permatex & cork material to seal it up?

Thank you in advance!

Chris

ford38v8 · 03-11-2022, 02:04 PM

Your strange slot is your crankcase breather. Sealing it up would cause results similar to sealing up the nose on your face.

tubman · 03-11-2022, 02:49 PM

That slot is just part of the breather system on a flathead. Have you made any changes to the oil filler lately? It has to be able to let air into the engine so it can get out of the slot. If you don't understand how the system works, check out this diagram.

flatjack9 · 03-11-2022, 04:23 PM

There is a tube in the lifter valley under the intake manifold that is in line with the vent in the pan. If for some reason it is not in there. you'll have that leak.

V8COOPMAN · 03-11-2022, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

There is a tube in the lifter valley under the intake manifold that is in line with the vent in the pan. If for some reason it is not in there. you'll have that leak.

I believe this is the tube, far right in picture. DD

Bored&Stroked · 03-11-2022, 08:14 PM

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Also, the gasket on the oil pan should have a "triangle" cut out that covers that area of the pan above the breather. If the gasket is not correctly sealed on the pan in that area, then oil can easily splash/flow into the breather. My guess is that you're missing the upper breather tube like 'FlatJack9' mentioned. Is this a new engine . . . what is the history on it?

supereal · 03-12-2022, 12:53 PM

Many oil leaks are due to improper installation of the rope seals when they have been cut to fit the groove in the pan. The seals must rise above the pan so that are forced into place when the pan is installed. This causes the seal to expand.

aussie merc · 03-12-2022, 05:04 PM

drain the sump and refill measure what you put back could be its overfull and engines will get rid of to much oil any way they can dipsticks are notorious for being incorrect

rotorwrench · 03-13-2022, 12:37 PM

If it didn't leak before, I tend to agree about gasket or rope seal issues.

Don T · 03-13-2022, 05:06 PM

What is this, looks like pan gasket?

blucar · 03-15-2022, 11:13 AM

As I recall, not all of the flat head engines had the crank case breather in the pan rail.
An additional thought, If a PCV system is added to a flat head engine, the crack case breather would need to be eliminated. The PCV would draw air through the vented breather cap on the oil fill stand pipe and into the combustion/intake system to be burnt off.

ford38v8 · 03-15-2022, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don T

What is this, looks like pan gasket?

That would be the one-size-fits-all pan gasket to accommodate the pre-'41 pan rail bulges fore and aft.

03-11-2022, 02:04 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,287	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak Your strange slot is your crankcase breather. Sealing it up would cause results similar to sealing up the nose on your face. __________________ Alan

03-11-2022, 04:23 PM	#4
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,600	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak There is a tube in the lifter valley under the intake manifold that is in line with the vent in the pan. If for some reason it is not in there. you'll have that leak.

03-11-2022, 08:14 PM	#6
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,723	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Also, the gasket on the oil pan should have a "triangle" cut out that covers that area of the pan above the breather. If the gasket is not correctly sealed on the pan in that area, then oil can easily splash/flow into the breather. My guess is that you're missing the upper breather tube like 'FlatJack9' mentioned. Is this a new engine . . . what is the history on it?

03-12-2022, 12:53 PM	#7
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak Many oil leaks are due to improper installation of the rope seals when they have been cut to fit the groove in the pan. The seals must rise above the pan so that are forced into place when the pan is installed. This causes the seal to expand.

03-12-2022, 05:04 PM	#8
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,125	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak drain the sump and refill measure what you put back could be its overfull and engines will get rid of to much oil any way they can dipsticks are notorious for being incorrect

03-13-2022, 12:37 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,411	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak If it didn't leak before, I tend to agree about gasket or rope seal issues.

03-15-2022, 11:13 AM	#11
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,466	Re: 239 V8 Oil Pan Leak As I recall, not all of the flat head engines had the crank case breather in the pan rail. An additional thought, If a PCV system is added to a flat head engine, the crack case breather would need to be eliminated. The PCV would draw air through the vented breather cap on the oil fill stand pipe and into the combustion/intake system to be burnt off. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe