V-8 is supposed to leak ?

[whizzernick]

I have been told that ford V-8 engines were designed to leak a tea spoon
of oil when turned off. (model A's too ) I was told that the oil at the top of crankshaft (slinger ) is meant to drain to the front and the back side of crankshaft in between flywheel and block. That is why a large cotter key is at bottom of pan so as this hole (oil drain hole ) is always clear. I do know that most fords leak.

[RalphM]

The oil drips to keep the cotter key lubricated, so it doesn't seize in the hole.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by RalphM

The oil drips to keep the cotter key lubricated, so it doesn't seize in the hole.

That it does Don't believe the Ford V8s were designed to leak, it's just a factor with the technology available at the time and the age of the engines. The slinger rear seal is prone to leaking under a lot of conditions!

[Lawrie]

They should not leak, my 33 did nearly 7000klms the other month towing,never leaked,
Lawrie

[ford38v8]

You all of course know where this is going...

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Nick's V8 Diapers.

[51 MERC-CT]

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Originally Posted by RalphM

The oil drips to keep the cotter key lubricated, so it doesn't seize in the hole.

I was told it was to keep the cotter pin from 'Squeaking'

[Kurt in NJ]

I rarely see a drop on the ground under my A when i park in driveway or parking lot, but there is some seepage and oil wetness on the bottom-----

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

You all of course know where this is going...

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Nick's V8 Diapers.

That of course "Depends"

[corvette8n]

I always thought of it as the "self undercoating" option.

[RalphM]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

I was told it was to keep the cotter pin from 'Squeaking'

Dual purpose, ah Henry thought of everything

[Talkwrench]

Lawrie check your oil.. you know the story ..lol

[G.M.]

Over filling will cause the rear main to leak.
Also to thin of oil. I use 20/50. G.M.

[rotorwrench]

Condition is the big factor in whether it will leak or seep. An engine with a pan rail or road tube vent will drip if there is a lot of blow by. Worn main bearings and old gaskets also lead to some spotting. Transmissions can seep too over time so a person has to smell the oil under the clutch housing to see which it might be. I've always felt that the drain hole cotter pin was simply there to keep the drain from clogging up by movement of the pin.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by whizzernick

I have been told that ford V-8 engines were designed to leak a tea spoon
of oil when turned off. (model A's too ) I was told that the oil at the top of crankshaft (slinger ) is meant to drain to the front and the back side of crankshaft in between flywheel and block.

Whoever told you that was making stuff up to sound important, was just messing with you, or was repeating nonsense out of ignorance! "designed to leak a teaspoon of oil when turned off"??? Did they explain why? Could they explain why it was a teaspoonful and not a thimbleful, or a tablespoonful? You could fill a book with all the fanciful urban myths surrounding old cars!
Old engines did leak some oil, true, as the technology for leak-free engines wasn't up to speed yet. But to claim that they were deliberately "designed" to leak a specific amount at shutdown is nonsense!

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

... I've always felt that the drain hole cotter pin was simply there to keep the drain from clogging up by movement of the pin.

This is true, but the Catch 22 is that the cotter won't move in the absence of oil.

[FrankWest]

model B engines have that large cotter pin too, Under flywheel?, why do these engines need that cotter pin? To release excess transmission oil? Fascinating, these oil engines are works of art.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

model B engines have that large cotter pin too, Under flywheel?, why do these engines need that cotter pin? To release excess transmission oil? Fascinating, these oil engines are works of art.

Frank, you miss the point. The cotter pin requires opinions, not questions.

[whizzernick]

Yes:::::: I do sell a fix to the oil drip (not leak ) problem. (DIAPER) From your answers to my question (ford barn people that reply to posts) I find that your cars do not drip or you don't care if they do . Or you use cardboard or you just like the oil mess on your floor. I don't and I just got tired of the clean up. (THAT IS HOW AND WHY I CAME UP WITH THE DIAPER)
My question was simple (I think ) but 12 people chose not to answer my question.
I am sorry I chose leak and not drip in my question. I have sold 5 so far and all are happy that the floor is not stained from oil drips. One brave man just ordered a second one and would like it to also include the transmission . ( they also sometimes drip) Also: yes I am getting rich from all my sales. and if you believe that I do Have a bridge to sell you

[40 Deluxe]

I'll take that bridge if it includes free shipping!

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Frank, you miss the point. The cotter pin requires opinions, not questions.

I said the large cotter pin is there to release excess transmission oil, what did I do wrong?

[JSeery]

The cotter pin is there to keep the hole open, the hole is there to let out any oil that accumulates there.

[Step-down]

Thank goodness Henry wasn't related to either Harley or Davidson . My 30' VL Harley has a total lost oil system ... I can't complain about my old Ford .....

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

I said the large cotter pin is there to release excess transmission oil, what did I do wrong?

See there, Frank, that's another question!

[Bored&Stroked]

I took the damn cotter pin out on my last engine - decided after all these years of looking at them, that I no longer needed too . . . made it easier to paint the pan anyway! LOL

[G.M.]

I wouldn't remove the cotter pin. It is there to keep the oil drain hole open.
Without it oil mixed with dirt and road gravel would eventually close the
hole and over time enough oil could build up for the fly wheel teeth to
throw it up into the clutch. The cotter pin is loose so it jiggles to keep
the hole open. G.M.

[grumppyoldman]

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I wrapped a rubber band around mine, the noise of it spinning drove me crazy. Al

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

I wrapped a rubber band around mine, the noise of it spinning drove me crazy. Al

The noise you heard was merely harmless feedback from your hearing aid...Still, you can control this phenomenon by turning down the volume.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

I wrapped a rubber band around mine, the noise of it spinning drove me crazy. Al

Open pipes and a QC and you'll never notice the cotter pin noise!

[Britcheflee]

I have an old 8N tractor with that same cotter pin in the bottom of the clutch bellhousing - supposed to allow accumulation of moisture and any oil to drip out rather than build up and get on the clutch as I was told.....

[40ford]

Old Ford saying"If it ain't leaking,don't crank it up,because there is no oil in it"

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Britcheflee

I have an old 8N tractor with that same cotter pin in the bottom of the clutch bellhousing - supposed to allow accumulation of moisture and any oil to drip out rather than build up and get on the clutch as I was told.....

That is the reason why the cotter pin was placed in that hole. I have a difficult time believing that a Ford vehicle could run and drive so quitely that you could hear that cotter pin spinning or rattling, even when wearing hearing aids

[tubman]

I've been following this thread mainly out of curiosity, since I'm an "8BA guy". I'm wondering : did Ford improve the oil seals enough in going to the 8BA's to be able to eliminate the cotter key? IIRC, they both use similar "rope" seals.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by tubman

I've been following this thread mainly out of curiosity, since I'm an "8BA guy". I'm wondering : did Ford improve the oil seals enough in going to the 8BA's to be able to eliminate the cotter key? IIRC, they both use similar "rope" seals.

The rear seal was improved before the 8ba, but since oil pans were interchangeable between the years of 35 to 48 pass car engines, I'm thinking Ford kept that drain hole up to 48, just for that reason.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by tubman

I've been following this thread mainly out of curiosity, since I'm an "8BA guy". I'm wondering : did Ford improve the oil seals enough in going to the 8BA's to be able to eliminate the cotter key? IIRC, they both use similar "rope" seals.

The 8BA oil pan doesn't cover the bottom of the clutch area like the earlier ones do - so if the rear main leaks, it is going to flow out between the removable bell housing and the back of the block. The stock oil seal in an 8BA is basically the same as in prior years - so it isn't a better seal by any means.

I think I'll start selling "retrofit cotter keys" for 8BAs, should be able to raise enough Hell on the internet for it to go 'viral' and then everybody will want one! Yeah - that's it . . . my new way to fame and fortune!

B&S

[chap52]

It's an oil level indicator like the old Harley's had. When you have parked it for awhile and return... if there is no oil spot under it, it's time to add oil...

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by whizzernick

Yes:::::: I do sell a fix to the oil drip (not leak ) problem. (DIAPER)

My question was simple (I think ) but 12 people chose not to answer my question.

Hmmmmm . . . the text in the body of your post had no questions, just opinions that are represented as commonly held ones. Only the title was a question . . .

We all know the answer - and the answer is "No" . . . why would anybody believe that Ford designed it to leak? That makes absolutely no sense at all - what would be the purpose of such a design - I can think of none.

It sorta seems like the main point was to mention the diaper you sell -- cool by me -- by letting folks know, maybe you'll sell some to those who have a problem and like your solution. Maybe just make a post that shows your solution, how it is installed, an example on a car, etc. . . .

[Clem Clement]

If you ain't drippin,
You ain't trippin

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

It sorta seems like the main point was to mention the diaper you sell -- cool by me -- by letting folks know, maybe you'll sell some to those who have a problem and like your solution. Maybe just make a post that shows your solution, how it is installed, an example on a car, etc. . . .

Surely you jest. I for one do not wish to see a picture of a dirty diaper.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Surely you jest. I for one do not wish to see a picture of a dirty diaper.

Solid point . . . especially after eating "baby carrots" out of a jar! LOL!

[GB SISSON]

All four of my running flathead vehicles were built with 'Best Gaskets' sets and I see no leaks on any of them. Only my British stuff leaks.

[whizzernick]

I guess I did not address my question in approiate way so as I could get answeres.
Here is my question: I have been told that 1928 (model A ) to 1948 fords drain a table spoon or is it tea spoon of oil when you turn off engine off. I am now selling a solution to this oil drip. I call it a diaper. Black closed car top material is sewn to form pockets
that hold very strong magnets. The Diaper is about 6 " wide and is long enough to extend to beyond transmission. The diaper does cover the oil drain plug. To use it you place under oil pan and transmission. When in proper place you release one site
and fold up an old polishing cloth ( most people throw these away when dirty) place in the middle and reattach. Now you will not drip oil and make a mess on your floor.
The bonus is you carry the solution with you.
I was at a V-8 club swap meet Saturday and was talking with a possible new customer.
He has a model T and also a MGA . He said that the old cars at disneyland have a similar product which is changed daily . Held on with tie wires . He is interested in Diaper for model T and MGA. I hope this explains my question ....

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by whizzernick

I guess I did not address my question in approiate way so as I could get answeres.
Here is my question: I have been told that 1928 (model A ) to 1948 fords drain a table spoon or is it tea spoon of oil when you turn off engine off. I am now selling a solution to this oil drip. I call it a diaper. Black closed car top material is sewn to form pockets
that hold very strong magnets. The Diaper is about 6 " wide and is long enough to extend to beyond transmission. The diaper does cover the oil drain plug. To use it you place under oil pan and transmission. When in proper place you release one site
and fold up an old polishing cloth ( most people throw these away when dirty) place in the middle and reattach. Now you will not drip oil and make a mess on your floor.
The bonus is you carry the solution with you.
I was at a V-8 club swap meet Saturday and was talking with a possible new customer.
He has a model T and also a MGA . He said that the old cars at disneyland have a similar product which is changed daily . Held on with tie wires . He is interested in Diaper for model T and MGA. I hope this explains my question ....

I have been into flatheads since I was 15 years old which is more than
70 years and never heard or saw any lose of oil AFTER shut down. The
drip out of the cotter pin hole was there before shutdown. G.M.

[whizzernick]

MY ANSWER TO MY QUESTION I think that Ford used a oil slinger system that would leak a small amount of oil that was left at the top of crankshaft when engine was shut off. part of the oil went forward threw rear main cap tube into the oil pan. and some (the original question) went to the rear of oil pan to eventually (leak) or drip out the hole that has the cotter key.
yea or nay to my answer???
As some one suggested: I do have a solution to this problem. I know that a lot of Ford people seem to be ok with the mess that thier Fords make.
Fine with me.

DIAPER FOR OLD FORDS
I started thinking about the mess my 33 roadster made on the floor when I returned from a ride. After many years ( I bought my 33 in 1959 ) lots of rides and lots of gas a mop and work. I decided to try and find a solution. I came up with ( how about a diaper ) I had some left over closed car top material and some very strong magnets . I made up a pattern that would cover the oil pan from in front of the drain plug to the rear near the transmission. I sewed pockets to hold the magnets. The idea was to place an old polishing towel between the diaper and the oil pan . The old polishing cloth would soak up the oil and would be replaced at oil change time. It worked well. After making and selling several and with the suggestion from a ford barn customer I now make the diaper longer to cover the full length of transmission as they sometimes leak. My price is $50 that includes shipping.
I was hoping that the Ford barn would be a good place to start. So far
not very good. I will have a introduction of my diaper to the Early Ford V-8 Club ( the V-8 times ) in the next issue or the one after that.
Any suggestions you have would be considered. Thanks to all that have put their 2 cents in.

[Chisel]

I asked my old Ford if it wanted to wear a diaper, it answered back hell no I started out running through horse shit so a little oil drip shouldn't bother anyone.

[Clem Clement]

We have found that if I'm asked to have a diaper, I use a spread out black plastic trash bag. The oil curled the plastic up and keeps the oil from running off. We do a party at a fancy mention and we must keep the front entrance spotless.