The Ford Barn

Ramblin Reck · 10-21-2022, 03:32 PM

There is a cotter pin coming out of the very rear bottom of the oil pan that is bent so that it will not exit the hole but it does spin like a propeller. Had the oil changed today on a lift and my mechanic said it was dripping oil from that hole only when it was running. It is a 39 Ford Deluxe Convertible. The motor has been changed to a 59AB with oil filter.

Any and all ideas as to what this cotter pin does and if there is a quick fix to the oil leak will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

ford38v8 · 10-21-2022, 03:40 PM

That's not your oil pan, it's your clutch housing. The cotter pin is there to prevent that hole from clogging up. Oil is expected to exit there to keep it off the clutch. Your "mechanic" has apparently overfilled the crankcase, thus allowing the excess oil to dump out the rear seal to the clutch housing. You need a new mechanic or preferably, do it yourself so you know it's done right.

Ggmac · 10-21-2022, 04:53 PM

And what weight oil did he use ? Did he do any other work ? Change vacuum lines, PCV , (if applicable) ?

CA Victoria · 10-21-2022, 10:18 PM

Recently assembled? Oil pump drive gear cover......

alchemy · 10-27-2022, 01:11 PM

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The late great Bruce Lancaster said the cotter pin is there to keep the leaking oil from getting gummed up and clogging the hole. The oil is there to keep the cotter pin from rusting.

10-21-2022, 03:32 PM	#1
Ramblin Reck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 245	Oil leak from Pan ONLY when running There is a cotter pin coming out of the very rear bottom of the oil pan that is bent so that it will not exit the hole but it does spin like a propeller. Had the oil changed today on a lift and my mechanic said it was dripping oil from that hole only when it was running. It is a 39 Ford Deluxe Convertible. The motor has been changed to a 59AB with oil filter. Any and all ideas as to what this cotter pin does and if there is a quick fix to the oil leak will be appreciated. Thanks in advance. __________________ "Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems!" ROGER, WILCO, OUT!

10-21-2022, 03:40 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,669	Re: Oil leak from Pan ONLY when running That's not your oil pan, it's your clutch housing. The cotter pin is there to prevent that hole from clogging up. Oil is expected to exit there to keep it off the clutch. Your "mechanic" has apparently overfilled the crankcase, thus allowing the excess oil to dump out the rear seal to the clutch housing. You need a new mechanic or preferably, do it yourself so you know it's done right. __________________ Alan

10-21-2022, 04:53 PM	#3
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,121	Re: Oil leak from Pan ONLY when running And what weight oil did he use ? Did he do any other work ? Change vacuum lines, PCV , (if applicable) ?

10-21-2022, 10:18 PM	#4
CA Victoria Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,120	Re: Oil leak from Pan ONLY when running Recently assembled? Oil pump drive gear cover...... __________________ Tim Downtown, Ca

10-27-2022, 01:11 PM	#5
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 649	Re: Oil leak from Pan ONLY when running Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The late great Bruce Lancaster said the cotter pin is there to keep the leaking oil from getting gummed up and clogging the hole. The oil is there to keep the cotter pin from rusting.