The Ford Barn

DWester · 03-15-2018, 03:47 PM

Howdy all. We bought a 31 coupe a couple weeks ago and took it for it's first ride yesterday. After about 5 miles, I opened the hood to check things and found oil all over the place. Checked the level and it was down a quart. After doing a little investigating, I found this bolt missing. Will oil come out of this hole with no bolt or is it a closed area from oil?

katy · 03-15-2018, 04:02 PM

Can't tell in your picture which bolt or hole that you're talking about, they all look the same.

midgetracer · 03-15-2018, 04:04 PM

Oil will come out of that bolt hole. It is open to the timing gear area. Probably would push out lots of oil with the timing gear acting as a pump.

midgetracer · 03-15-2018, 04:07 PM

Katy, you need glasses!!!

DWester · 03-15-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetracer

Katy, you need glasses!!!

I also resemble that remark

I was really hoping that the bolt would be the culprit. The other options are quite a bit more work. Thanks you guys!!

Here you go Katy.

katy · 03-15-2018, 04:30 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetracer

Katy, you need glasses!!!

I've got my reading glasses on, and can't make it out, so I put the computer magnifier on and brought it up to 200% and finally found the culprit.
I've got good eyes, they're just weak and slow.

wingski · 03-15-2018, 05:15 PM

Since that bolt-hole is going into the engine block and not into the actuall timing gear chamber does it go all the way through? Take a small probe and see how far the hole goes. If it goes all the way through, then that’s your reason. Plug it.

Another question, when I pulled the timing gear cover on my ’29, it was dry in there. The oil level is all the way up in the engine. Shouldn’t there have been a little oil in that timing gear chamber?

Another thing, my new Randy Gross steering is being shipped as I write. I am so excited to see what a difference that new steering makes. Just the fact that the column and the steering box are two seperate parts is going to make putting it in the A so much simpler than taking that old one-piece out. Do all closed cars have to have the steering removed through the floor?

Another weird question. Randy wants me to ship my old steering column back to him after cutting off the steering box. Even though I detest that old seven-tooth steering set up, it is in pretty good shape. It has just too much play for me. If the future owner of this car wants to restore it to all original, shouldn’t I keep that original steering and sell it with the car?

It snowed, rained, snowed, and is raining again. I wish it would make up it’s mind.

Mike

Jim Brierley · 03-15-2018, 08:42 PM

Some of those holes are dead-end, others are open. If that one is open, it will throw oil out quickly. Been there, done that!

pbishop · 03-15-2018, 11:24 PM

Since you need to put a bolt in anyway, just put a bolt in and torque it down. Clean up the engine compartment, top off the oil, and then run the car around a little bit and check everything again.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-15-2018, 11:51 PM

Minerva had a HORRIBLE oil leak! That "hidden" timing cover bolt, inside the square recess, below the generator mounting boss, was MISSING!!!! Some folks miss that bolt & break the timing cover, when they try to GORILLA it off!!
Been on here 11 Years & don't remember anyone talking about that "hidden" BOLT! (BUT, they'll do 11 pages about "WHAT OIL" or "IT'S THE CONDENSOR or "FIX IT UNTIL YOU BREAK IT"!)---LOL My Dog is LAFFIN' out loud!
Bill W.

3.6rs · 03-16-2018, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Can't tell in your picture which bolt or hole that you're talking about, they all look the same.

Exept for the hole with no bolt

Chuck Sea/Tac · 03-16-2018, 12:20 AM

Put sealer on the bolt threads

sphanna · 03-16-2018, 08:17 AM

What Bill Williamson just said is very important to etch into your brain if you are not an experienced "A"er and do your own engine disassembly or assembly. Can cause a lot of grief and not always apparent until too late.

frank55a · 03-16-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWester

.... After doing a little investigating, I found this bolt missing. Will oil come out of this hole with no bolt or is it a closed area from oil?

Some of those holes go all the way through and some do not. That hole is where the stud goes for the generator/alternator tension support. If you currently have a generator on the "A" my gut feeling is that the previous owner had an alternator mounted and took it off to either mount on another "A" or sold it and forgot to reinstall the timing gear bolt when he reinstalled a generator. Install another bolt and you will probably be just fine. My 2 cents worth.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-16-2018, 10:02 AM

With an open end hole, it's AMAZING how much oil spirals around the bolt threads & leaks out the lockwasher slit! Just rub #2 Permatex on the bolt threads & it won't leak.
Bill W.

DWester · 03-16-2018, 09:07 PM

OK. I cleaned up the area of the hole and got me a bolt that fit, then put a sealant on it and snugged it up. Put everything back together and took it for a ride. Not a drop of oil was found. Got lucky on that one. Thanks to all for your input. Couldn't make it without you. I feel really fortunate to have this place to go to for the wealth of knowledge you have to offer.

michael a · 03-16-2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWester

OK. I cleaned up the area of the hole and got me a bolt that fit, then put a sealant on it and snugged it up. Put everything back together and took it for a ride. Not a drop of oil was found. Got lucky on that one. Thanks to all for your input. Couldn't make it without you. I feel really fortunate to have this place to go to for the wealth of knowledge you have to offer.

Thank you

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BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-17-2018, 05:43 AM

#2 Permatex is a GOOD thread sealer! Even if the threads are oily, just wipe them off & the #2 Permatex will stick to the threads well, unlike silicone type stuff. It works GOOD, when you have a Diff plug that weeps, even though it's a tapered Pipe thread. "Theoretically", pipe threads are supposed to seal completely, but they DON'T. That's why Plumbers use a little "pipe dope" on the external, or "Male" threads. Always use it on the external or "male" threads, so any excess is pushed to the OUTSIDE!
It's EASY to remember which is "MALE" & "FEMALE" threads, just THINK about it!---LOL
Bill Semiplumber

03-15-2018, 04:04 PM	#3
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Oil will come out of that bolt hole. It is open to the timing gear area. Probably would push out lots of oil with the timing gear acting as a pump.

03-15-2018, 04:07 PM	#4
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Katy, you need glasses!!!

03-15-2018, 05:15 PM	#7
wingski Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cave Junction, Oregon Posts: 432	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Since that bolt-hole is going into the engine block and not into the actuall timing gear chamber does it go all the way through? Take a small probe and see how far the hole goes. If it goes all the way through, then that’s your reason. Plug it. Another question, when I pulled the timing gear cover on my ’29, it was dry in there. The oil level is all the way up in the engine. Shouldn’t there have been a little oil in that timing gear chamber? Another thing, my new Randy Gross steering is being shipped as I write. I am so excited to see what a difference that new steering makes. Just the fact that the column and the steering box are two seperate parts is going to make putting it in the A so much simpler than taking that old one-piece out. Do all closed cars have to have the steering removed through the floor? Another weird question. Randy wants me to ship my old steering column back to him after cutting off the steering box. Even though I detest that old seven-tooth steering set up, it is in pretty good shape. It has just too much play for me. If the future owner of this car wants to restore it to all original, shouldn’t I keep that original steering and sell it with the car? It snowed, rained, snowed, and is raining again. I wish it would make up it’s mind. Mike

03-15-2018, 08:42 PM	#8
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,087	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Some of those holes are dead-end, others are open. If that one is open, it will throw oil out quickly. Been there, done that!

03-15-2018, 11:24 PM	#9
pbishop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wimauma, Florida Posts: 121	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Since you need to put a bolt in anyway, just put a bolt in and torque it down. Clean up the engine compartment, top off the oil, and then run the car around a little bit and check everything again.

03-15-2018, 04:02 PM	#2
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,043	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Can't tell in your picture which bolt or hole that you're talking about, they all look the same. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-15-2018, 11:51 PM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Minerva had a HORRIBLE oil leak! That "hidden" timing cover bolt, inside the square recess, below the generator mounting boss, was MISSING!!!! Some folks miss that bolt & break the timing cover, when they try to GORILLA it off!! Been on here 11 Years & don't remember anyone talking about that "hidden" BOLT! (BUT, they'll do 11 pages about "WHAT OIL" or "IT'S THE CONDENSOR or "FIX IT UNTIL YOU BREAK IT"!)---LOL My Dog is LAFFIN' out loud! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 03-15-2018 at 11:58 PM.

03-16-2018, 12:20 AM	#12
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Did I find the oil leak? Put sealer on the bolt threads

03-16-2018, 08:17 AM	#13
sphanna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Polk City, Iowa Posts: 526	Re: Did I find the oil leak? What Bill Williamson just said is very important to etch into your brain if you are not an experienced "A"er and do your own engine disassembly or assembly. Can cause a lot of grief and not always apparent until too late. __________________ Steve Hanna, Polk City, IA Last edited by sphanna; 03-16-2018 at 08:19 AM. Reason: typing correction

03-16-2018, 10:02 AM	#15
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Did I find the oil leak? With an open end hole, it's AMAZING how much oil spirals around the bolt threads & leaks out the lockwasher slit! Just rub #2 Permatex on the bolt threads & it won't leak. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

03-16-2018, 09:07 PM	#16
DWester Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fort Jones, Calif Posts: 94	Re: Did I find the oil leak? OK. I cleaned up the area of the hole and got me a bolt that fit, then put a sealant on it and snugged it up. Put everything back together and took it for a ride. Not a drop of oil was found. Got lucky on that one. Thanks to all for your input. Couldn't make it without you. I feel really fortunate to have this place to go to for the wealth of knowledge you have to offer. __________________ Darol

03-17-2018, 05:43 AM	#18
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Did I find the oil leak? #2 Permatex is a GOOD thread sealer! Even if the threads are oily, just wipe them off & the #2 Permatex will stick to the threads well, unlike silicone type stuff. It works GOOD, when you have a Diff plug that weeps, even though it's a tapered Pipe thread. "Theoretically", pipe threads are supposed to seal completely, but they DON'T. That's why Plumbers use a little "pipe dope" on the external, or "Male" threads. Always use it on the external or "male" threads, so any excess is pushed to the OUTSIDE! It's EASY to remember which is "MALE" & "FEMALE" threads, just THINK about it!---LOL Bill Semiplumber __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"