The Ford Barn

50droptop · 10-15-2019, 02:53 PM

Do you guys apply any gasket sealer on the distributor to timing cover gasket? I've got a slight oil leak that I was thinking was the crankshaft seal, however after thinking about it more (it didn't start until I replaced the distributor last week) I believe it may be coming from the distributor to timing cover. I'm going to check this evening for tightness on the bolts and will likely replace the gasket, however I'm wondering if anyone is using sealer on that gasket.

1936 21 stud flathead with 11A helmet

Jack E/NJ · 10-15-2019, 03:17 PM

Grease. Jack E/NJ

cadillac512 · 10-15-2019, 04:53 PM

Don't those bolts go through to crankcase? (can't remember) If so, sealer on the threads may be the fix.

Terry

50droptop · 10-15-2019, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillac512

Don't those bolts go through to crankcase? (can't remember) If so, sealer on the threads may be the fix.

Terry

Yep, looks like the culprit was the lower bolt on the passenger side. Pulled the dizzy, new gasket (and used grease this time) and tightened the bolts.....NO MORE LEAKS!

I’ve only got about 150 miles on her since rebuild and am getting a little smoke from the oil pan breather and a little smoke from breather when I shut her down. I think the blow by will cease once the rings seat; I’m guessing the smoke at the right front oil pan corner is normal....any thoughts?

cadillac512 · 10-15-2019, 10:50 PM

No leak-good deal! The blow-by from the pan corner vent is normal and by design. As for the residual smoke from the breather/oil fill tube, that's normal after shut down as well...just the fumes left in the crankcase naturally rising and venting out. As rings fully seat the blow-by should reduce to a normal level,but will always be present in some amount since that's the way the engine vents. Should be minimal however.

Terry

Tinker · 10-16-2019, 02:30 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

True real blow-by will be very apparent and a ring issue. Oil will be everywhere. Very different then some vapes and drops of oil, that is normal. Not normal to have oil coming out the vent tube in volume.

There is a reason you want to get the engine up to 160-180 temp. To burn off water in the oil in the crank case. (created by natural heat and cooling condensation cycles of the engine)

Maybe for the better educated folk to talk about what blowby is and why. Even up to yblocks there was a vent tube with a filter. But if you don't know what blow by is maybe...

Great start terry.

Glad ya fix it.

.

50droptop · 10-16-2019, 05:58 AM

Thanks guys. Yeah, the smoke from breather at shutdown is very minimal.

10-15-2019, 02:53 PM	#1
50droptop Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 250	Oil leak from helmet distributor? Do you guys apply any gasket sealer on the distributor to timing cover gasket? I've got a slight oil leak that I was thinking was the crankshaft seal, however after thinking about it more (it didn't start until I replaced the distributor last week) I believe it may be coming from the distributor to timing cover. I'm going to check this evening for tightness on the bolts and will likely replace the gasket, however I'm wondering if anyone is using sealer on that gasket. 1936 21 stud flathead with 11A helmet Last edited by 50droptop; 10-15-2019 at 03:49 PM.

10-15-2019, 03:17 PM	#2
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Oil leak from helmet distributor? Grease. Jack E/NJ

10-15-2019, 04:53 PM	#3
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 920	Re: Oil leak from helmet distributor? Don't those bolts go through to crankcase? (can't remember) If so, sealer on the threads may be the fix. Terry __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

10-15-2019, 10:50 PM	#5
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 920	Re: Oil leak from helmet distributor? No leak-good deal! The blow-by from the pan corner vent is normal and by design. As for the residual smoke from the breather/oil fill tube, that's normal after shut down as well...just the fumes left in the crankcase naturally rising and venting out. As rings fully seat the blow-by should reduce to a normal level,but will always be present in some amount since that's the way the engine vents. Should be minimal however. Terry __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

10-16-2019, 02:30 AM	#6
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Oil leak from helmet distributor? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) True real blow-by will be very apparent and a ring issue. Oil will be everywhere. Very different then some vapes and drops of oil, that is normal. Not normal to have oil coming out the vent tube in volume. There is a reason you want to get the engine up to 160-180 temp. To burn off water in the oil in the crank case. (created by natural heat and cooling condensation cycles of the engine) Maybe for the better educated folk to talk about what blowby is and why. Even up to yblocks there was a vent tube with a filter. But if you don't know what blow by is maybe... Great start terry. Glad ya fix it. . Last edited by Tinker; 10-16-2019 at 03:49 AM.

10-16-2019, 05:58 AM	#7
50droptop Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 250	Re: Oil leak from helmet distributor? Thanks guys. Yeah, the smoke from breather at shutdown is very minimal.