The Ford Barn

Synchro909 · 08-09-2019, 10:11 PM

I know there has been a lot said about this perennial problem but I couldn't find what I wanted in my search so here goes.
I ask this on behalf of a friend.
First, deatails of his engine. Stock standard with babbit bearings and a BIG oil leak. Bearing tolerance, end play etc are all within spec but the oil slinger has been removed. Why? I don't know but it is not there! The oil groove in the rear main bearing is cut in a spiral and stops about 1/2" from the back and from the front of the bearing. I have asked him to check which way the spining crank shaft wants to take the oil in the groove - to the front or to the rear. Oil drain passage in the bearing cap and the tube are clear. The restorer replaced the slinger with a (he says) cork seal which is no longer available. I'm not able to help him there because I have never heard of a cork seal there - maybe some of you have?
My personal oinion is that his problem eminates from the seal and if they have a poor reputation, there must be a fix for it. What is it?
The other thing is "would he be better off to take the oil groove right out to the front of the bearing so oil can be returned to the sump?
The oil doesn't just drip, it flows in a stream from the split pin under the flywheel housing. Gasket between the engine block and flywheel housing is in place.
Thanks in advance on his behalf.

08-09-2019, 10:11 PM	#1
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Rear Main Oil Leak I know there has been a lot said about this perennial problem but I couldn't find what I wanted in my search so here goes. I ask this on behalf of a friend. First, deatails of his engine. Stock standard with babbit bearings and a BIG oil leak. Bearing tolerance, end play etc are all within spec but the oil slinger has been removed. Why? I don't know but it is not there! The oil groove in the rear main bearing is cut in a spiral and stops about 1/2" from the back and from the front of the bearing. I have asked him to check which way the spining crank shaft wants to take the oil in the groove - to the front or to the rear. Oil drain passage in the bearing cap and the tube are clear. The restorer replaced the slinger with a (he says) cork seal which is no longer available. I'm not able to help him there because I have never heard of a cork seal there - maybe some of you have? My personal oinion is that his problem eminates from the seal and if they have a poor reputation, there must be a fix for it. What is it? The other thing is "would he be better off to take the oil groove right out to the front of the bearing so oil can be returned to the sump? The oil doesn't just drip, it flows in a stream from the split pin under the flywheel housing. Gasket between the engine block and flywheel housing is in place. Thanks in advance on his behalf. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.