The Ford Barn

Tim Brown · 07-23-2019, 03:30 PM

Heres the deal, 49-53 merc block, 59A style cam and crab 2 bolt dist.

Every time we drive the car (34 3w) for a short while, the crab cap and rotor get bathed in motor oil fouling the electrical system.

More info: 59A style intake with fuel pump and breather mounted above.

Any ideas on this one?

Stumped...

BUBBAS IGNITION · 07-23-2019, 05:41 PM

I get this quite a bit, as there isnt any main feed of oil to the timing cover , i think its got to be crankcase pressure caused by lack of ventilation. Check fresh air vent etc... Try removing the vacuum brake line for testing as well........

Tony, NY · 07-23-2019, 06:12 PM

Check out this old thread. You may find some answers.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146772

svm99 · 07-23-2019, 06:15 PM

Somebody can check me on this.......seems 59A timing gears cut opposite to 8BA gears so that one set moves oil opposite of the other set?

Which gearset do you have Tim?

Tim Brown · 07-23-2019, 06:33 PM

I’m also wondering if there could be too much oil in it. It’s got a full flow conversion on it and unknown origin of the dipstick.

JSeery · 07-23-2019, 06:44 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Don't use the dipstick to determine initial oil level. Dain the oil and add five qts. Check it with the dipstick and see where it is at. Mark the dipstick at the 5qt level.

Tim Brown · 07-23-2019, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Don't use the dipstick to determine initial oil level. Dain the oil and add five qts. Check it with the dipstick and see where it is at. Mark the dipstick at the 5qt levels.

That’s where it is right now.

JSeery · 07-23-2019, 08:47 PM

Ok, I'm confused. Thought you stated that the dipstick was of unknown origin. If you know the dipstick is correct then why the concern of being overfilled?

Brian · 07-23-2019, 10:05 PM

If you examine the timing cover you should find 2 little oil holes in the recess for the distributor; one at top to let oil in, and a larger one at the bottom to allow oil to drain back into engine. Check that the return hole is open....

Tim Brown · 07-23-2019, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Ok, I'm confused. Thought you stated that the dipstick was of unknown origin. If you know the dipstick is correct then why the concern of being overfilled?

Sorry for the confusion. I have 5 quarts in it and put a new mark on the dipstick.

deuce_roadster · 07-23-2019, 11:10 PM

What Brian said x2. Also, is there too much clearance in the back bushing?

flatheadmurre · 07-24-2019, 01:14 AM

I had it a couple of times when people haven´t understood that the bushing absorbs oil and have drilled oil holes through it...
Or someone took the oilwick inside the shaft out while cleaning...

Bored&Stroked · 07-24-2019, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Brown

Heres the deal, 49-53 merc block, 59A style cam and crab 2 bolt dist.

Every time we drive the car (34 3w) for a short while, the crab cap and rotor get bathed in motor oil fouling the electrical system.

More info: 59A style intake with fuel pump and breather mounted above.

Any ideas on this one?

Stumped...

Is this a newly built engine? What is the oil pressure like?

Tim Brown · 07-24-2019, 10:02 AM

Thanks everyone. I’ll have a look at it tomorrow evening and report back ... T

FlatheadTed · 07-24-2019, 03:57 PM

Another thing to look at, a high pressure oil pump could override the relief valve in the valley ,the valve opens occasionally to lube the timing gears and the back of the distributor ,Most distributors that I have worked on do not have holes drilled at the rear bush possible to reduce this problem .

07-23-2019, 03:30 PM	#1
Tim Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colfax, CA Posts: 387	Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Heres the deal, 49-53 merc block, 59A style cam and crab 2 bolt dist. Every time we drive the car (34 3w) for a short while, the crab cap and rotor get bathed in motor oil fouling the electrical system. More info: 59A style intake with fuel pump and breather mounted above. Any ideas on this one? Stumped...

07-23-2019, 05:41 PM	#2
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? I get this quite a bit, as there isnt any main feed of oil to the timing cover , i think its got to be crankcase pressure caused by lack of ventilation. Check fresh air vent etc... Try removing the vacuum brake line for testing as well........ __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

07-23-2019, 06:12 PM	#3
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 811	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Check out this old thread. You may find some answers. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146772

07-23-2019, 06:15 PM	#4
svm99 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Garlic Country of CA Posts: 537	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Somebody can check me on this.......seems 59A timing gears cut opposite to 8BA gears so that one set moves oil opposite of the other set? Which gearset do you have Tim?

07-23-2019, 06:33 PM	#5
Tim Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colfax, CA Posts: 387	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? I’m also wondering if there could be too much oil in it. It’s got a full flow conversion on it and unknown origin of the dipstick.

07-23-2019, 06:44 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Don't use the dipstick to determine initial oil level. Dain the oil and add five qts. Check it with the dipstick and see where it is at. Mark the dipstick at the 5qt level. Last edited by JSeery; 07-23-2019 at 08:47 PM.

07-23-2019, 08:47 PM	#8
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Ok, I'm confused. Thought you stated that the dipstick was of unknown origin. If you know the dipstick is correct then why the concern of being overfilled?

07-23-2019, 10:05 PM	#9
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,825	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? If you examine the timing cover you should find 2 little oil holes in the recess for the distributor; one at top to let oil in, and a larger one at the bottom to allow oil to drain back into engine. Check that the return hole is open.... __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

07-23-2019, 11:10 PM	#11
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,801	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? What Brian said x2. Also, is there too much clearance in the back bushing?

07-24-2019, 01:14 AM	#12
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? I had it a couple of times when people haven´t understood that the bushing absorbs oil and have drilled oil holes through it... Or someone took the oilwick inside the shaft out while cleaning...

07-24-2019, 10:02 AM	#14
Tim Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colfax, CA Posts: 387	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Thanks everyone. I’ll have a look at it tomorrow evening and report back ... T

07-24-2019, 03:57 PM	#15
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,700	Re: Help! Why is there excess oil in a crab dist? Another thing to look at, a high pressure oil pump could override the relief valve in the valley ,the valve opens occasionally to lube the timing gears and the back of the distributor ,Most distributors that I have worked on do not have holes drilled at the rear bush possible to reduce this problem . __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters , Last edited by FlatheadTed; 07-24-2019 at 04:03 PM.

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