[Healeys] That funny little hole in the bell housing.

[P.M. Pollock]

I had about a teaspoonful after each run from my first to last drive in 
my BJ7 (30+ years- it now sits awaiting me to get a Round Tuit).

Funny thing was when I bought him new, I promptly returned to the dealer 
to fix the leak.  So the BMC dealer pulled the transmission, fiddled 
around, said it was fixed, etc.- clueless.  I didn't figure out the oil 
thrower and Archimedes screw until I tore the engine down many years later.

Isn't there a funny quote from one of the Healey clan to the effect that 
LBC oil leaks are deliberate to inhibit rust?

Regards,

Pete Pollock
 

Editorgary at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 5/17/08 2:41:15 PM, healeys-request at autox.team.net writes:
>
>
>   
>> I also
>> wiped down the tranny and engine oil pan.  This morining I noticed this a
>> small amount of oil leaking through the small hole at the bottom of the
>>     
> bell
>   
>> housing.  Any idea what the cause may be?  Thanks.
>>
>>     
>
> Believe it or not, that little hole is a design feature! In fact, there
> should be a cotter-pin in the hole that wiggles to keep the hole from getting
> clogged up. Under normal operating conditions, oil collecting around the rear
> of
> the drive-shaft would be thrown back into the sump by the combination of
> negative crankcase pressure and the Archimedes Screw (for fun, look that up on
> "How
> Things Work") milled into the crank, but when the engine is shut down, the
> pressure changes, the Screw stops screwing, and a little oil from the crank
> seeps
> into the bottom of the bell housing and out that little hole. That having been
> said, leakage shouldn't be more than a few drops; if you're getting a puddle,
> then the crank opening has been worn out of round and the oil isn't being
> kept in the engine. At that point, it's time for serious consideration of a
> rear
> oil seal and checking the engine (bearings and compression) against the
> possibility that a rebuild may be in order.
>
> Cheer
> Gary
>
>
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