The Ford Barn

aermotor · 12-22-2016, 09:41 PM

FWIW - probably not much. I had a leak like yours. I pulled the pan to also clean the mud out and see what was going on. Mistake #1: put the narrower cork seal back in and didn't pay enough attention to the drain tube as it was laying in the pan on second removal - must have done it on installation. I reinstalled the drain tube and proper new cork seal - leak fixed. Don't know if the seal or tube that fixed the problem. The clutch housing was dry both times and I didn't mess with the shims. Hope you can get the same results.

John

Terry, NJ · 12-22-2016, 05:56 PM

It sounds like a clogged oil tube to me too. But as someone said, that requires pulling down the oil pan, a big job. It's a stupid little tube about four inches long and it is threaded into the rear main bearing cap. It doesn't look important at all! However. Make sure there's a gasket between the flywheel housing and the engine block. I know it sounds weird to have a gasket between these two parts but there's a reason for it. It seals the back of the camshaft. If the engine or transmission was recently removed by the previous owner, he may have left the gasket out, not realizing the importance of it.

mshmodela · 12-22-2016, 06:05 PM

Looks like my leak, as the other said check the cap but my car sat with little use and after I acquired it I drove it.. I think yours like mine (oil tube block).. Keep your oil filled, driver you car and see if it getting better (change oil and try some sea form in the oil.. So far my leak has not returned after 2 years.

Synchro909 · 12-22-2016, 06:37 PM

ESKILDSM, PM sent.

frank55a · 12-22-2016, 06:29 PM

It sounds like in any case you need to drop the oil pan. It could be like some suggested that the tube is plugged, it could also be that the tube is missing (while it is not common, I have seen this over the years on more than one). A rear main leak of a drop or 2 is common in a tight engine. It may also be that the bearings need to be tightened up (little to much clearance). If you are in AZ now there are several very active Model A clubs there, look for one close to you. Most Model Aers are very willing to help and actually enjoy working on the cars with you. Someone in a local club should be able to show/help you inspect and take up on the bearings.

If the engine runs and sounds good and your oil leak seems to be the main problem it is probably the oil tube or bearing clearances. An experienced Model Aer should be able to tell you by listening to the engine if the bearings are really bad.

Good luck

Fred K-OR · 12-22-2016, 06:42 PM

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Like mentioned above, if you could get someone around where you live that knows Model A's to check it out, and if the engine is OK to run, then you may want to just run it the way it is. Like mentioned above, some of the Model A vendors do sell the thing to hook under your flywheel housing that catches the oil drip. Then you just need to make sure you put oil in it when it needs it.

If this works for you, like mentioned above you may want to change the oil(if you haven't) and put some additive in it. If the pipe mentioned above is plugged, this may unplug it and you are fixed. Anyway, do the easy things first. Good luck!

Eskildsm · 12-22-2016, 09:21 PM

Spoke with owner of Arizona model A and he believes it's the oil
Pan gasket because of how its leaking and dropping of my oil pan. Gonna change it tomrow as he has the gaskets in stock -/ keeping my fingers crossed !!

Synchro909 · 12-22-2016, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskildsm

Spoke with owner of Arizona model A and he believes it's the oil
Pan gasket because of how its leaking and dropping of my oil pan. Gonna change it tomrow as he has the gaskets in stock -/ keeping my fingers crossed !!

I'm sure you found him very helpful and I hope his diagnosis is correct. That would be an easy fix. If you meet him to get the gasket, say G'day for me!

31 Model A · 12-23-2016, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskildsm

Spoke with owner of Arizona model A and he believes it's the oil
Pan gasket because of how its leaking and dropping of my oil pan. Gonna change it tomrow as he has the gaskets in stock -/ keeping my fingers crossed !!

My engine was rebuilt last winter. Recently I've been seeing the same problem as you have. Talked with Larry this morning and he plans to do the same thing to my A and also check out anything else that could have happened over this past summer to cause the oil leak with the pan dropped. One thing, my oil leak is coming out through the cotter key but...far more than usual, there is oil seepage a bit from the front pan gasket. I'm not worried...........

Eskildsm · 12-22-2016, 09:22 PM

As well I can check the pipe once pan is dropped.

Mike V. Florida · 12-22-2016, 11:47 PM

http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/REARMAINLEAK.html

700rpm · 12-23-2016, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/REARMAINLEAK.html

Great link, Mike.

Terry, NJ · 12-23-2016, 02:45 PM

Since you're pulling the pan down. Check and clean the oil screen on the oil pump. I bought an engine with bad mains and the oil screen was about 80% clogged. Cheee, what a coincidence! I wonder........
Terry

Jacksonlll · 12-23-2016, 05:17 PM

One easy thing to check. Make sure your dip stick goes all the way in. I have seen it where the stick stops on the tang and gives you a really bad reading. It has to go all the way in.

Eskildsm · 12-24-2016, 11:51 AM

Update-- pulled oil pan ensured line wasn't clogged -- thouroghly cleaned pan-- lots sludge-- cleaned block and pan where gasket goes and installed new gasket to include one around shaft at back of oil pan put small dab of non hardening sealant in corners of back gasket and front gasket-- snugged down oil pan left sit overnight than torqued down -- filled full of oil ran around for awhile -- no leaks!!! Learned a lot just doing this little task!!

700rpm · 12-24-2016, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskildsm

Update-- pulled oil pan ensured line wasn't clogged -- thouroghly cleaned pan-- lots sludge-- cleaned block and pan where gasket goes and installed new gasket to include one around shaft at back of oil pan put small dab of non hardening sealant in corners of back gasket and front gasket-- snugged down oil pan left sit overnight than torqued down -- filled full of oil ran around for awhile -- no leaks!!! Learned a lot just doing this little task!!

Congratulations! This is the kind of instance where I'm glad I was wrong. Thanks for the update. Have a Merry Christmas!

Mitch//pa · 12-24-2016, 12:05 PM

Since you had lots of sludge pulling the valve / side cover would be in order. Cleaning that out is also important as the mains are fed oil through that route..if any of those main feed holes are blocked youll be putting an engine in very soon.
Ck for excessive crank shaft end play

Tom Wesenberg · 12-24-2016, 03:49 PM

Poking a pipe cleaner down each of the three main bearing feed tubes is a good way to make sure they are open. You can feel when the wire in the pipe cleaner touches the crankshaft, then just spin it as you pull it out.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 12-24-2016, 04:53 PM

A Friend had his engine out 3 times, FUSSIN' with the rear main, THEN, discovered it was the front transmission seal!

Bill W.

Synchro909 · 12-24-2016, 05:02 PM

Glad to hear the fix was so easy. Like I said, Sammy is VERY knowledgeable and helpful. You know where to go in the future for all your needs.

12-22-2016, 05:56 PM	#2
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,749	Re: HELP- New to model A's It sounds like a clogged oil tube to me too. But as someone said, that requires pulling down the oil pan, a big job. It's a stupid little tube about four inches long and it is threaded into the rear main bearing cap. It doesn't look important at all! However. Make sure there's a gasket between the flywheel housing and the engine block. I know it sounds weird to have a gasket between these two parts but there's a reason for it. It seals the back of the camshaft. If the engine or transmission was recently removed by the previous owner, he may have left the gasket out, not realizing the importance of it.

12-22-2016, 06:05 PM	#3
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,765	Re: HELP- New to model A's Looks like my leak, as the other said check the cap but my car sat with little use and after I acquired it I drove it.. I think yours like mine (oil tube block).. Keep your oil filled, driver you car and see if it getting better (change oil and try some sea form in the oil.. So far my leak has not returned after 2 years. __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

12-22-2016, 06:37 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,041	Re: HELP- New to model A's ESKILDSM, PM sent. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

12-22-2016, 06:29 PM	#5
frank55a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 993	Re: HELP- New to model A's It sounds like in any case you need to drop the oil pan. It could be like some suggested that the tube is plugged, it could also be that the tube is missing (while it is not common, I have seen this over the years on more than one). A rear main leak of a drop or 2 is common in a tight engine. It may also be that the bearings need to be tightened up (little to much clearance). If you are in AZ now there are several very active Model A clubs there, look for one close to you. Most Model Aers are very willing to help and actually enjoy working on the cars with you. Someone in a local club should be able to show/help you inspect and take up on the bearings. If the engine runs and sounds good and your oil leak seems to be the main problem it is probably the oil tube or bearing clearances. An experienced Model Aer should be able to tell you by listening to the engine if the bearings are really bad. Good luck

12-22-2016, 06:42 PM	#6
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: HELP- New to model A's Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Like mentioned above, if you could get someone around where you live that knows Model A's to check it out, and if the engine is OK to run, then you may want to just run it the way it is. Like mentioned above, some of the Model A vendors do sell the thing to hook under your flywheel housing that catches the oil drip. Then you just need to make sure you put oil in it when it needs it. If this works for you, like mentioned above you may want to change the oil(if you haven't) and put some additive in it. If the pipe mentioned above is plugged, this may unplug it and you are fixed. Anyway, do the easy things first. Good luck! __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

12-22-2016, 09:41 PM	#1
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: HELP- New to model A's FWIW - probably not much. I had a leak like yours. I pulled the pan to also clean the mud out and see what was going on. Mistake #1: put the narrower cork seal back in and didn't pay enough attention to the drain tube as it was laying in the pan on second removal - must have done it on installation. I reinstalled the drain tube and proper new cork seal - leak fixed. Don't know if the seal or tube that fixed the problem. The clutch housing was dry both times and I didn't mess with the shims. Hope you can get the same results. John

12-22-2016, 09:21 PM	#7
Eskildsm Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Helena Montana Posts: 45	Re: HELP- New to model A's Spoke with owner of Arizona model A and he believes it's the oil Pan gasket because of how its leaking and dropping of my oil pan. Gonna change it tomrow as he has the gaskets in stock -/ keeping my fingers crossed !!

12-22-2016, 09:22 PM	#10
Eskildsm Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Helena Montana Posts: 45	Re: HELP- New to model A's As well I can check the pipe once pan is dropped.

12-22-2016, 11:47 PM	#11
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: HELP- New to model A's http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/REARMAINLEAK.html __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

12-23-2016, 02:45 PM	#13
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,749	Re: HELP- New to model A's Since you're pulling the pan down. Check and clean the oil screen on the oil pump. I bought an engine with bad mains and the oil screen was about 80% clogged. Cheee, what a coincidence! I wonder........ Terry

12-23-2016, 05:17 PM	#14
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: HELP- New to model A's One easy thing to check. Make sure your dip stick goes all the way in. I have seen it where the stick stops on the tang and gives you a really bad reading. It has to go all the way in.

12-24-2016, 11:51 AM	#15
Eskildsm Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Helena Montana Posts: 45	Re: HELP- New to model A's Update-- pulled oil pan ensured line wasn't clogged -- thouroghly cleaned pan-- lots sludge-- cleaned block and pan where gasket goes and installed new gasket to include one around shaft at back of oil pan put small dab of non hardening sealant in corners of back gasket and front gasket-- snugged down oil pan left sit overnight than torqued down -- filled full of oil ran around for awhile -- no leaks!!! Learned a lot just doing this little task!!

12-24-2016, 12:05 PM	#17
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: HELP- New to model A's Since you had lots of sludge pulling the valve / side cover would be in order. Cleaning that out is also important as the mains are fed oil through that route..if any of those main feed holes are blocked youll be putting an engine in very soon. Ck for excessive crank shaft end play

12-24-2016, 03:49 PM	#18
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: HELP- New to model A's Poking a pipe cleaner down each of the three main bearing feed tubes is a good way to make sure they are open. You can feel when the wire in the pipe cleaner touches the crankshaft, then just spin it as you pull it out.

12-24-2016, 04:53 PM	#19
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: HELP- New to model A's A Friend had his engine out 3 times, FUSSIN' with the rear main, THEN, discovered it was the front transmission seal! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

12-24-2016, 05:02 PM	#20
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,041	Re: HELP- New to model A's Glad to hear the fix was so easy. Like I said, Sammy is VERY knowledgeable and helpful. You know where to go in the future for all your needs. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.