The Ford Barn

Houston Rodder · 05-28-2013, 01:03 PM

My Fordor Sedan has an oil leak that is getting worse. The leak is very bad right after the motor has been run and slows after it cools off. What are some typical types of oil leaks these engines develop? I am wanting to have everything I need to fix before the vehicle is tore down although I realize it is impossible to know before pulling the pan. Besides a pan gasket what are some pieces I should inspect or replace with the oil pan off?
Thanks

sethkestenbaum · 05-28-2013, 01:30 PM

I recently resolved the oil hemorrhaging on my 1929 by dropping the pan, removing the valve cover and cleaning out all the passageways including the oil return pipes. I wasn't expecting all my oil leaks to go away, but they did. A clogged oil return apparently is one of the big causes of leaks.

With the pan off, you may want to do an overhaul on your oil pump (which comes our when you drop your pan and requires an occasional screen cleaning and change of gaskets -- this is EASY albeit messy) and check bearing clearances (you can access the rod and main bearings with the pan down and make some adjustments if needed). I documented my trials and errors in dropping the pan (including some video and photos) on my blog and recently posted MANY questions on fordbarn. I am no expert, but am happy to share my experiences.

Houston Rodder · 05-28-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethkestenbaum

I recently resolved the oil hemorrhaging on my 1929 by dropping the pan, removing the valve cover and cleaning out all the passageways including the oil return pipes. I wasn't expecting all my oil leaks to go away, but they did. A clogged oil return apparently is one of the big causes of leaks.

With the pan off, you may want to do an overhaul on your oil pump (which comes our when you drop your pan and requires an occasional screen cleaning and change of gaskets -- this is EASY albeit messy) and check bearing clearances (you can access the rod and main bearings with the pan down and make some adjustments if needed). I documented my trials and errors in dropping the pan (including some video and photos) on my blog and recently posted MANY questions on fordbarn. I am no expert, but am happy to share my experiences.

This is really helpful information. Thank you.

Duffy1 · 05-28-2013, 08:36 PM

Please specify the location of the leak .

pat in Santa Cruz · 05-28-2013, 08:53 PM

as said above, we need to know from where the leak originates to offer any constructive help. For that matter, so do you. Many leaks are from the valve cover, and they run along the pan rails and drip off the rear flywheel housing, giving the appearance of a rear main leak. The oil pan can leak in similar fashion. Then there are leaks from excess crankcase pressure, a missing oil return tube, clogged oil pipe, etc etc

this article is a good one for starters:
http://www.antiqueenginerebuilding.c...RMAINLEAK.html

Houston Rodder · 05-28-2013, 10:15 PM

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The leak is between the engine and the bell housing. If it was a sbc I would guess rear main seal.

700rpm · 05-28-2013, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston Rodder

The leak is between the engine and the bell housing. If it was a sbc I would guess rear main seal.

I don't know what an sbc is, but that would be a good guess on a Model A too. But you can hope it is similar to Seth's problem.

Duffy1 · 05-28-2013, 10:23 PM

Is it dripping off of the carter key ? If so it is probably the rear main and/or leak from back of cam shaft . If it is coming down the front of the fly wheel housing it may be leaking from the pan gasket or from the front seal running down the pan and dripping off the housing plus what pat in sana cruz mentioned .

Phil · 05-28-2013, 10:38 PM

Most rear main oil leaks on a model A are due to too much clearance on the rear main. Drop the pan, remove the rear main cap inspect the Babbitt, if it is intact use palsti gauge to check the clearance. Should be about one and a half thousandths. If it is greater remove shims to get the one a half thousandths. Then check the center and front mains. All should be well when the pan is reinstalled.

Bob C · 05-28-2013, 10:54 PM

Also check the crankshaft end play, to much and it will leak.

Bob

Tom Wesenberg · 05-28-2013, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

I don't know what an sbc is, but that would be a good guess on a Model A too. But you can hope it is similar to Seth's problem.

Small Block Chevy

Hicktick · 05-28-2013, 11:59 PM

What mark are you using on your dipstick ???

You could be over filling it .

It will spit out what it don't want .

05-28-2013, 01:03 PM	#1
Houston Rodder Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 55	Oil Leak Help? My Fordor Sedan has an oil leak that is getting worse. The leak is very bad right after the motor has been run and slows after it cools off. What are some typical types of oil leaks these engines develop? I am wanting to have everything I need to fix before the vehicle is tore down although I realize it is impossible to know before pulling the pan. Besides a pan gasket what are some pieces I should inspect or replace with the oil pan off? Thanks

05-28-2013, 01:30 PM	#2
sethkestenbaum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 632	Re: Oil Leak Help? I recently resolved the oil hemorrhaging on my 1929 by dropping the pan, removing the valve cover and cleaning out all the passageways including the oil return pipes. I wasn't expecting all my oil leaks to go away, but they did. A clogged oil return apparently is one of the big causes of leaks. With the pan off, you may want to do an overhaul on your oil pump (which comes our when you drop your pan and requires an occasional screen cleaning and change of gaskets -- this is EASY albeit messy) and check bearing clearances (you can access the rod and main bearings with the pan down and make some adjustments if needed). I documented my trials and errors in dropping the pan (including some video and photos) on my blog and recently posted MANY questions on fordbarn. I am no expert, but am happy to share my experiences. __________________ Seth Kestenbaum www.oldcarroadtrip.com

05-28-2013, 08:36 PM	#4
Duffy1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mo. City , Texas Posts: 725	Re: Oil Leak Help? Please specify the location of the leak .

05-28-2013, 08:53 PM	#5
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Oil Leak Help? as said above, we need to know from where the leak originates to offer any constructive help. For that matter, so do you. Many leaks are from the valve cover, and they run along the pan rails and drip off the rear flywheel housing, giving the appearance of a rear main leak. The oil pan can leak in similar fashion. Then there are leaks from excess crankcase pressure, a missing oil return tube, clogged oil pipe, etc etc this article is a good one for starters: http://www.antiqueenginerebuilding.c...RMAINLEAK.html

05-28-2013, 10:15 PM	#6
Houston Rodder Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 55	Re: Oil Leak Help? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The leak is between the engine and the bell housing. If it was a sbc I would guess rear main seal.

05-28-2013, 10:23 PM	#8
Duffy1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mo. City , Texas Posts: 725	Re: Oil Leak Help? Is it dripping off of the carter key ? If so it is probably the rear main and/or leak from back of cam shaft . If it is coming down the front of the fly wheel housing it may be leaking from the pan gasket or from the front seal running down the pan and dripping off the housing plus what pat in sana cruz mentioned .

05-28-2013, 10:38 PM	#9
Phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bethany, Ok Posts: 382	Re: Oil Leak Help? Most rear main oil leaks on a model A are due to too much clearance on the rear main. Drop the pan, remove the rear main cap inspect the Babbitt, if it is intact use palsti gauge to check the clearance. Should be about one and a half thousandths. If it is greater remove shims to get the one a half thousandths. Then check the center and front mains. All should be well when the pan is reinstalled.

05-28-2013, 10:54 PM	#10
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,755	Re: Oil Leak Help? Also check the crankshaft end play, to much and it will leak. Bob

05-28-2013, 11:59 PM	#12
Hicktick Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hickory Tavern , SC Posts: 422	Re: Oil Leak Help? What mark are you using on your dipstick ??? You could be over filling it . It will spit out what it don't want .