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Old 03-26-2021, 05:56 PM   #1
khschs
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Default Oil leak

Fired up the the duce today and much to my chagrin I had an oil leak. Again. It is at the front main seal. Again. First time I used the rope seal, big leak! Tried the one piece seal next same result. I would appreciate some advice on the best way solve this problem. The engine is a 59A with a Merc crank and a 8CM timing cover.
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Old 03-26-2021, 06:08 PM   #2
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Default Re: Oil leak

Kieth, see my answer to the question today “front oil pan crank shaft leak”
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Old 03-27-2021, 06:30 PM   #3
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Default Re: Oil leak

When using the rope seal , did you soak it in oil overnight? Its the only suggestion I could give
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Old 03-28-2021, 10:37 AM   #4
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Default Re: Oil leak

I am wondering if there are any other options, or are the rope seal and the Speedway one piece the only two choices?
Keith
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Old 03-28-2021, 10:49 AM   #5
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Default Re: Oil leak

Nothing else.
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Old 03-28-2021, 11:44 AM   #6
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Default Re: Oil leak

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Are you using a speedy sleeve on the crank pulley? Mine has a reverse spiral groove in it to (I assume) decrease oil loss which plays heck with the one piece seal. Speedy sleeve covers the groove and protects the one piece seal. I have no problem with leaks.
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Old 03-28-2021, 12:22 PM   #7
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Default Re: Oil leak

I bought the one piece seal from Speedway, looked it over, read the instructions, threw it in the trash, and carefully installed the rope seal according to the instructions using the razor knife and guide provided with the gasket set. No problems.
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Old 03-28-2021, 12:42 PM   #8
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Default Re: Oil leak

W Brown: Yes I did use a speedy sleeve

tubman: I soaked the seal and used all the care I could muster.
I must be doing something wrong. This isn't rocket surgery.
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Old 03-28-2021, 01:30 PM   #9
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Default Re: Oil leak

Hmmmmmm.............I thought Fords were supposed to leak!!
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Old 03-28-2021, 01:36 PM   #10
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Default Re: Oil leak

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Hmmmmmm.............I thought Fords were supposed to leak!!
Earlier ones, yeah. 8BA's can be made pretty leakproof, though.
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Old 03-28-2021, 01:54 PM   #11
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Default Re: Oil leak

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
I bought the one piece seal from Speedway, looked it over, read the instructions, threw it in the trash, and carefully installed the rope seal according to the instructions using the razor knife and guide provided with the gasket set. No problems.
I'm with you. A properly installed rope seal works wonderfully.
There must be quite literally millions of them in use on various engine applications.
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Old 03-28-2021, 02:16 PM   #12
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Default Re: Oil leak

Tubman is correct,
The 8BA was the latest generation of Flathead back then .
They were engineering improvements with every generation of engine series .
And considering how fast these engines were assembled,,,,I can’t imagine how they did it so well .
The rope seals were installed in a few seconds,,,,,and sealed pretty darn good too .

Ford was really at the top of their game considering all the processes that are required to build a car .

Now,,,, I will admit I have never owned a Ford before my Flathead,,,(,8CM ),,,but I respect what they did .
Not because of my past experiences owning one,,,but by seeing how well they built .
These engines were designed and built very well .
I can’t believe how tight the tolerance were held during assembly,,,,,top quality bolts,,,excellent castings .
Pretty darn good in my book .

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Old 03-28-2021, 04:50 PM   #13
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Default Re: Oil leak

It should be noted that I have a 59A pan and a 8CM timing cover. That shouldn't be a problem should it?
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Old 03-28-2021, 05:01 PM   #14
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Default Re: Oil leak

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Originally Posted by khschs View Post
It should be noted that I have a 59A pan and a 8CM timing cover. That shouldn't be a problem should it?
I don't know, as I have never done it, but you have me thinking. Somebody here will know.

"Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone?"
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Old 03-28-2021, 05:12 PM   #15
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Default Re: Oil leak

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Originally Posted by khschs View Post
It should be noted that I have a 59A pan and a 8CM timing cover. That shouldn't be a problem should it?

I put a three bolt cover on my 59L block no problem. Should be the same. ...So, you have a post distributor on a 59A block?
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Old 03-28-2021, 05:27 PM   #16
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Default Re: Oil leak

I do have a post distributor on my engine
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Old 03-28-2021, 05:36 PM   #17
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Default Re: Oil leak

When you say "big leak" - give us some perspective . . . what do you mean? What crank pulley are you using? Did you install an oil-slinger in front of the crankshaft gear? What cam do you have in it . . . is it a 49-53 cam (with the integral snout to drive the distributor), or did you use an adapter on a 59AB style cam?
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Old 03-28-2021, 06:14 PM   #18
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Default Re: Oil leak

Re: big leak. Probably 1 pt. during 10minutes running time.
Crank pully: 59A
Oil slinger: installed
Cam: 49-53
Way too big a leak to ignore!
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Old 03-28-2021, 07:14 PM   #19
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Default Re: Oil leak

That amount of oil tells me that something is missing in the whole area between the crankshaft, pulley, timing cover and associated seals. Dang near sounds like there is no seal at all. Does your crankshaft pulley extend into the seal area and have a spiral wound groove that pulls oil back into the engine?

By chance do you have a crank pulley that does NOT have an integral sealing surface built into it? (They made these in 49-53 - along with pulleys that had the seal surface like the 32-48 engines). For these pulleys, one has to install a little "seal sleeve" onto the crankshaft - it has the spiral grooves and provided the seal surface for the front main seal. Again - two different types of pulleys for 49-53 - what do you have?

I don't see how you can be running a 59A crank pulley with a 49-53 cam - as the belt is right next to the block and would not align with the water pumps - it would also hit the distributor. I wonder if you have a different pulley than you believe - or you've somehow re-routed the fan belt. Can you take a picture of the front of your engine - such that we can see the belts, pumps and pulley?
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Old 03-28-2021, 08:05 PM   #20
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Default Re: Oil leak

The crank does not have an integral sealing surface and I have a little "seal sleeve" installed . The current seal is a Speedway one piece and it is assembled with a repair sleeve. Re: the water pumps they are 49 truck wide belt. The pulley I'm not sure of.
Sorry about pictures, no camera no knowledge no ability.
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