The Ford Barn

Maclab58 · 07-19-2010, 08:28 AM

I posted a thread last week regarding a oil leak coming from what I felt was the rear oil seal or around the rear crank journal. When i initially removed the valve cover i found 6-8 pipe cleaners stuffed down the rear oil hole in the block feeding ther rear journal. I received numerous helpful hints and I followed the advice of Dennis Piranio a well known Model A engine builder in Denton Tx. He advised it was probably due to wear in the Babbitt bearing and suggested I pull the rear crank journal remove a shim from one side, reinstall and torque down. turn the engine with the hand crank. Repeat the process one side at a time until I couldnt turn the engine. Then reinstall one shim and put it all back together. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no leak larger than a nickel! the entire job took about three hours and cost about $20 for a pan gasket set!

BARGAIN!

Earle · 07-19-2010, 08:51 AM

Do you have any idea about the origin of the pipe cleaners and why they were there?!! 6-8 even! That's weird!

You're lucky that the oil-starvation of the rear main bearing didn't result in bigger problems!

Earle

Maclab58 · 07-19-2010, 04:54 PM

best I can figure is that the pipe cleaners slowed down the leak. as you pointed out its a lucky thing that it didnt smoke that rear bearing.

Special Coupe Frank · 07-19-2010, 07:32 PM

That's where I usually store my spare pipe-cleaners...

quickchange · 07-19-2010, 10:43 PM

Naw he was a smoker?? or the engine was , Derek cool early spring day ??? in NZ

Ron in Quincy · 07-20-2010, 02:11 AM

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Thank goodness the rear main had shims; sure glad you solved your oil leak.

Happy motoring !!!!!

Ron

Bassman/NZ · 07-20-2010, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickchange

Naw he was a smoker?? or the engine was , Derek cool early spring day ??? in NZ

You're a bit optimistic aren't you Derek?

Cajun · 07-20-2010, 06:44 AM

I have found that Dennis Piranio really knows his stuff.

Mike Mc · 07-20-2010, 02:34 PM

Spring? Not in Wellington!

07-19-2010, 08:28 AM	#1
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	oil leak solved! I posted a thread last week regarding a oil leak coming from what I felt was the rear oil seal or around the rear crank journal. When i initially removed the valve cover i found 6-8 pipe cleaners stuffed down the rear oil hole in the block feeding ther rear journal. I received numerous helpful hints and I followed the advice of Dennis Piranio a well known Model A engine builder in Denton Tx. He advised it was probably due to wear in the Babbitt bearing and suggested I pull the rear crank journal remove a shim from one side, reinstall and torque down. turn the engine with the hand crank. Repeat the process one side at a time until I couldnt turn the engine. Then reinstall one shim and put it all back together. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no leak larger than a nickel! the entire job took about three hours and cost about $20 for a pan gasket set! BARGAIN!

07-19-2010, 08:51 AM	#2
Earle Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 240	Re: oil leak solved! Do you have any idea about the origin of the pipe cleaners and why they were there?!! 6-8 even! That's weird! You're lucky that the oil-starvation of the rear main bearing didn't result in bigger problems! Earle

07-19-2010, 04:54 PM	#3
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Re: oil leak solved! best I can figure is that the pipe cleaners slowed down the leak. as you pointed out its a lucky thing that it didnt smoke that rear bearing.

07-19-2010, 07:32 PM	#4
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: oil leak solved! That's where I usually store my spare pipe-cleaners...

07-19-2010, 10:43 PM	#5
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,009	Re: oil leak solved! Naw he was a smoker?? or the engine was , Derek cool early spring day ??? in NZ

07-20-2010, 02:11 AM	#6
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: oil leak solved! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank goodness the rear main had shims; sure glad you solved your oil leak. Happy motoring !!!!! Ron

07-20-2010, 06:44 AM	#8
Cajun Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 104	Re: oil leak solved! I have found that Dennis Piranio really knows his stuff.

07-20-2010, 02:34 PM	#9
Mike Mc Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 55	Re: oil leak solved! Spring? Not in Wellington!