The Ford Barn

CWPASADENA · 07-13-2021, 10:58 PM

What oil are you running?

I would recommend 20-50 oil and see what happens. As long as you do not run it too low on oil, it should be fine.

If the car has not been run for a while and has been parked for a time, sometimes the rings will not be well seated. Running the engine may help the rings to re-seat and you will have less crankcase pressure and the leak may diminish.

If the engine otherwise sounds fine, run it but watch the oil level and do not run too thin of oil.

My suggestion,

Chris W.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-14-2021, 02:32 PM

Be sure the oil cap isn't pushed on too far where it bends the 3 or 4 stop tabs and blocks off the engine breathing.

Does the engine have rod or main bearing knock? If so, I'd fix it ASAP.

CatMan1 · 07-14-2021, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWPASADENA

What oil are you running?

I would recommend 20-50 oil and see what happens. As long as you do not run it too low on oil, it should be fine.

If the car has not been run for a while and has been parked for a time, sometimes the rings will not be well seated. Running the engine may help the rings to re-seat and you will have less crankcase pressure and the leak may diminish.

If the engine otherwise sounds fine, run it but watch the oil level and do not run too thin of oil.

My suggestion,

Chris W.

Can't recall now. I haven't had it long. I'll have to check.... I think 10W-30

CatMan1 · 07-14-2021, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Be sure the oil cap isn't pushed on too far where it bends the 3 or 4 stop tabs and blocks off the engine breathing.

Does the engine have rod or main bearing knock? If so, I'd fix it ASAP.

I've checked the cap, it's the accessory one with a long tube, and it seems fine. So far I don't hear any knocking or banging. Seems to run pretty nicely.

J Franklin · 07-14-2021, 10:16 PM

If you have until "next month" you should be able to drop the pan and tighten up the bearings if nothing is broken. It Shouldn't take more than a day. You would seem it incredulous to see what Ford listed in a time study to do the very same job! Maybe just a few hours or less.

WHN · 07-15-2021, 08:00 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

How many miles does the engine have on it? Also what weight oil are you using?

CatMan1 · 07-15-2021, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

How many miles does the engine have on it? Also what weight oil are you using?

From what I was told it has around 1,000 on it. I believe I'm using 10W-30.

J Franklin · 07-15-2021, 10:31 AM

If it only has that few miles it might be worth dropping the pan and taking a peek.

Ak Sourdough · 07-15-2021, 03:04 PM

Of course it's worth dropping the pan.

You've got the time, so fix it. My first post that basically said don't let an oil leak keep you home was made when I thought you wanted to make your trip this weekend.

Get under there and fix the problem. These cars are simple and when they were in their prime they were worked on by everyone from farmers to paperboys. Read about the job, watch youtube and ask questions here and you won't have any insurmountable problems.

CatMan1 · 07-15-2021, 03:43 PM

I do think I can accomplish this if I take it easy and am careful. Might take me a full week.....or two, but that's ok. I'm realizing that I'm going to have to learn to do most everything on this car and that's not all bad. It's good for me! Now wishing I hadn't jumped the gun and changed the manifold gaskets as I may have to take the manifold off to get to the valve cover. Live and learn....right? I couldn't take the sound of that sick exhaust any longer!

WHN · 07-15-2021, 04:32 PM

In my mind your using to light weight oil. Not trying to say that that is the problem, but your comment on not knowing for sure what is in there gives me pause.

I would take a minute before you start taking things apart and change the oil. I would put in 20w-40 and see if that helps with the dripping. Even 20w-50 for summer use.

$15.00 well spent. We use Walmart brand motor oil.

Good luck.

CatMan1 · 07-16-2021, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

In my mind your using to light weight oil. Not trying to say that that is the problem, but your comment on not knowing for sure what is in there gives me pause.

I would take a minute before you start taking things apart and change the oil. I would put in 20w-40 and see if that helps with the dripping. Even 20w-50 for summer use.

$15.00 well spent. We use Walmart brand motor oil.

Good luck.

I have been confused about what oil to buy. I know there is a lot of info and thoughts on it. I could try it. Maybe I will.

katy · 07-17-2021, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatMan1

I may have to take the manifold off to get to the valve cover. Live and learn....right? I couldn't take the sound of that sick exhaust any longer!

Manifolds do not have to be removed to remove the valve cover.

CWPASADENA · 07-18-2021, 11:23 PM

With this few miles on the engine and if the car has not been driven for a while, the rings may not be sealed. Change to 20/50 oil and run it a few hundred miles and the rings may seal up which will lower the crankcase pressure and the leak may slow or stop. Dropping the pan at this point may not tell you much.

My opinion.

Chris W.

CatMan1 · 07-19-2021, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWPASADENA

With this few miles on the engine and if the car has not been driven for a while, the rings may not be sealed. Change to 20/50 oil and run it a few hundred miles and the rings may seal up which will lower the crankcase pressure and the leak may slow or stop. Dropping the pan at this point may not tell you much.

My opinion.

Chris W.

To your point...... This car did have a brief stint with smoking and burning oil. Then it quit. Also, the compression tests showed 1-4 being 60, 55, 55, 60. Don't know if that's low or not.

WHN · 07-19-2021, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatMan1

To your point...... This car did have a brief stint with smoking and burning oil. Then it quit. Also, the compression tests showed 1-4 being 60, 55, 55, 60. Don't know if that's low or not.

Change the oil and drive it. Needs to run.

Enjoy.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-19-2021, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatMan1

To your point...... This car did have a brief stint with smoking and burning oil. Then it quit. Also, the compression tests showed 1-4 being 60, 55, 55, 60. Don't know if that's low or not.

That's not bad for a stock engine.
My 28 engine runs fine and doesn't smoke, and has 50 PSI and each of the 4.

[email protected] · 07-19-2021, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Be sure the oil cap isn't pushed on too far where it bends the 3 or 4 stop tabs and blocks off the engine breathing.

Does the engine have rod or main bearing knock? If so, I'd fix it ASAP.

I witnessed recently a fellow club member at a parade who had a real bad rear main oil leak. He said that he just took it to a local antique car professional mechanic. This guy took the oil cap and packed it full with steel wool. Literally hammered it in tight. Afterwards, boy did it pump out the oil from the rear main then!

We suggested to him to go back to an original oil cap (no steel wool) and run it with no more than 4 quarts of oil. We are betting his issue could now get better…. Time will tell now…

Chuck Sea/Tac · 07-20-2021, 12:21 AM

If you have end play on your crank, checked by watching the front pulley move while someone steps on the clutch, then tighten bearings probably won’t help. Shouldn’t be more than 4 or 5 thou. I’ve seen 10 to 12without leaking too much. You can pull the three bolt small inspection cover at the back of the pan, and watch where the oil comes from as it idles.

Bob Bidonde · 07-20-2021, 07:19 AM

Drive your car and enjoy it. Just bring along a quart or two of motor oil. By the way, Model A's leaked when they were brand new.

07-13-2021, 10:58 PM	#21
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,884	Re: Safe To Drive.....? What oil are you running? I would recommend 20-50 oil and see what happens. As long as you do not run it too low on oil, it should be fine. If the car has not been run for a while and has been parked for a time, sometimes the rings will not be well seated. Running the engine may help the rings to re-seat and you will have less crankcase pressure and the leak may diminish. If the engine otherwise sounds fine, run it but watch the oil level and do not run too thin of oil. My suggestion, Chris W. Last edited by CWPASADENA; 07-13-2021 at 11:02 PM. Reason: CLARIFICATION

07-14-2021, 02:32 PM	#22
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Safe To Drive.....? Be sure the oil cap isn't pushed on too far where it bends the 3 or 4 stop tabs and blocks off the engine breathing. Does the engine have rod or main bearing knock? If so, I'd fix it ASAP.

07-14-2021, 10:16 PM	#25
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Safe To Drive.....? If you have until "next month" you should be able to drop the pan and tighten up the bearings if nothing is broken. It Shouldn't take more than a day. You would seem it incredulous to see what Ford listed in a time study to do the very same job! Maybe just a few hours or less.

07-15-2021, 08:00 AM	#26
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: Safe To Drive.....? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) How many miles does the engine have on it? Also what weight oil are you using?

07-15-2021, 10:31 AM	#28
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Safe To Drive.....? If it only has that few miles it might be worth dropping the pan and taking a peek.

07-15-2021, 03:04 PM	#29
Ak Sourdough Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 126	Re: Safe To Drive.....? Of course it's worth dropping the pan. You've got the time, so fix it. My first post that basically said don't let an oil leak keep you home was made when I thought you wanted to make your trip this weekend. Get under there and fix the problem. These cars are simple and when they were in their prime they were worked on by everyone from farmers to paperboys. Read about the job, watch youtube and ask questions here and you won't have any insurmountable problems. __________________ I still have an excellent rememberer, trouble is my forgetter is so much better that it often overrides the rememberer.

07-15-2021, 03:43 PM	#30
CatMan1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Pella, IA Posts: 337	Re: Safe To Drive.....? I do think I can accomplish this if I take it easy and am careful. Might take me a full week.....or two, but that's ok. I'm realizing that I'm going to have to learn to do most everything on this car and that's not all bad. It's good for me! Now wishing I hadn't jumped the gun and changed the manifold gaskets as I may have to take the manifold off to get to the valve cover. Live and learn....right? I couldn't take the sound of that sick exhaust any longer!

07-15-2021, 04:32 PM	#31
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: Safe To Drive.....? In my mind your using to light weight oil. Not trying to say that that is the problem, but your comment on not knowing for sure what is in there gives me pause. I would take a minute before you start taking things apart and change the oil. I would put in 20w-40 and see if that helps with the dripping. Even 20w-50 for summer use. $15.00 well spent. We use Walmart brand motor oil. Good luck.

07-18-2021, 11:23 PM	#34
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,884	Re: Safe To Drive.....? With this few miles on the engine and if the car has not been driven for a while, the rings may not be sealed. Change to 20/50 oil and run it a few hundred miles and the rings may seal up which will lower the crankcase pressure and the leak may slow or stop. Dropping the pan at this point may not tell you much. My opinion. Chris W.

07-20-2021, 12:21 AM	#39
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Safe To Drive.....? If you have end play on your crank, checked by watching the front pulley move while someone steps on the clutch, then tighten bearings probably won’t help. Shouldn’t be more than 4 or 5 thou. I’ve seen 10 to 12without leaking too much. You can pull the three bolt small inspection cover at the back of the pan, and watch where the oil comes from as it idles.