[Healeys] where does the oil leak begin if the crank seal and the new seal are not the cause

[Bob Spidell]

A worn/defective/brittle front gearbox seal--in cars that have 
them--will contribute oil in the bellhousing. We tore down our BN2's 
engine when it peed a puddle, installed a rear main seal and then 
discovered the oil probably came from a gearbox seal that all but fell 
apart in my hand.

On 4/28/2021 11:02 AM, rfbegani at gmail.com wrote:
>
> Merk:
>
> If the engine had the new modified seal installed,  it was removed and 
> was dry, then from where does the oil come that is entering the bell 
> housing.  It must be coming from above the crankshaft.   Where is the 
> leak is the question? Maybe that tiny little gasket material going 
> around the engine plate is not sufficient?
>
> Bob
>
> *From:* m.g.sharp at sympatico.ca <m.g.sharp at sympatico.ca>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 28, 2021 1:11 PM
> *To:* rfbegani at gmail.com
> *Subject:* RE: [Healeys] where does the oil leak begin if the crank 
> seal and the new seal are not the cause
>
> Bob, My understanding is that they are two different things, the rear 
> main oil seal kit is one thing and the gasket for the rear plate is 
> another.  I would not expect the MOSS kit would not have the rear 
> plate gasket.
>
> The parts diagrams shows there is only one gasket between the block 
> and the rear engine plate.  I do not think there is any additional 
> gasket for a “cam drain”.
>
> Mirek
>
> *From:* Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net 
> <mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net>> *On Behalf Of 
> *rfbegani at gmail.com <mailto:rfbegani at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* April 28, 2021 12:27 PM
> *To:* Austin Healey list <healeys at autox.team.net 
> <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>>; 'John and Kerry Rowe' 
> <jtkarowe at gmail.com <mailto:jtkarowe at gmail.com>>; 'David Nock' 
> <healeydoc at gmail.com <mailto:healeydoc at gmail.com>>
> *Subject:* [Healeys] where does the oil leak begin if the crank seal 
> and the new seal are not the cause
>
> Listeners:
>
> It has been explained by some members of this group that the rear 
> Mounting Plate Gasket in the Moss kit is not sufficient to contain the 
> oil back of the camshaft drain.  Now I am not knowledgeable on the 
> conditions of the rear mount plate and the gasket, However, John Rowe 
> after 10 years of living with oil leaks even with the modified seal 
> installed, removed the trans, flywheel, mounting plate etc, and found 
> it dry.  Let us review what he did find.
>
> I fitted the modified seal 10 years ago and have always had an oil 
> leak since. After finally removing the gearbox for repair last month I 
> removed flywheel etc to have a look at it. I removed the backing plate 
> and no leaks were identified around the seal, it was totally dry. 
> However, the back of the camshaft drain was a different scenario. I 
> then noticed there should have been a gasket according to the books, 
> which mine did not have. I had used a silicone gasket maker in that 
> area and that failed (didn't work). I made a thick 1.6mm (1/16inch) 
> gasket and now think I have solved the leaks problem
>
> Bob, The gasket I made only had a 'cutout' for the crankshaft itself. 
> The remainder covered the back of the camshaft opening, which runs 
> down to drain back into the block. It looks like an inverted teardrop.
>
>  It covers the whole machined area of the rear of the block. I put 
> permatex sealant all over the flat machined area especially around the 
> camshaft opening. This was done with the engine in- situ while the 
> gearbox was removed, quite easy but heavy.
>
> What say you to those who are familiar with the rear of the engine, 
> the rear plate, and the overall rear mounting plate gasket.  Is there 
> are missing gasket in the Moss Kit? Was there ever a gasket for the 
> area? Should the rear plate gasket be redesigned to include more 
> coverage?  Should we just forget about the Moss gasket and construct 
> gasket as John had done to solve the oil leaks forever.
>
> The reason I ask this of the Group, I will next fall have to remove 
> the trans etc. to install a new clutch plate and want to be prepared 
> to do something to stop the leaking of oil even thought the 
> installation of PVC system has greatly reduced the volume.
>
> .
>
> Comments?
>
> Bob Begani
>
>

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