[Spridgets] Excessive oil leak -1275 cc - front end

[Bob Spruck]

I had a similar problem on my 67 Midget vintage race car at last 
December's race. Oil on the hot header sent up smoke that got me black 
flagged. After checking it out in my garage later, it seemed like it was 
the front engine plate. Pulled the engine and discovered that it was in 
fact a little less than completely flat and the the oil pan had a dent 
from the inside that was causing a less than flat seal with the bottom 
of the block. That's what I get from using parts from parts cars, 
despite checking them out.

Replaced both with other parts from parts cars and thought all was well, 
until the race this past weekend when the same thing happened, although 
less oil and smoke.

Oil leaks are very often one of the hardest things to find and fix. They 
also often require some trial and error - fix what you think was the 
offending part, put the engine back in the car and find  the leak is 
still there once it is up to pressure and temperature. If you can 
determine where the oil is really coming from it makes the fix easier. 
Arterial leaks are rare. It usually requires an engine removal, 
tear-down and inspection. If you are lucky it is an obvious gasket or 
flatness problem. But it still requires a fix, re installation, and 
running up to normal pressure and temperature before you know for sure 
it is fixed. At least that's my experience.

Now I have another wonderful opportunity to gain some more experience.

Lots of luck with your leak.

Bob


On 9/15/2015 2:30 PM, daredelvis--- via Spridgets wrote:
> I had a similar problem with a rebuilt 948. It was a poorly installed 
> timing chain cover gasket. I got all of my money back from the builder 
> ($0).
> Brian
>
>
>
> On Sep 15, 2015, at 10:30 AM, Walt Swift via Spridgets 
> <spridgets at autox.team.net <mailto:spridgets at autox.team.net>> wrote:
>
>> Just took the Bugeye for a 20 mile test run after restoration.  And I 
>> gotta leak - a serious one.  Front end.
>>
>> 1275 cc engine (rebuilt I think), 60 psi oil pressure, hums nicely, 
>> New PCV valve and tube connections to the front timing cover can and 
>> the intake manifold seem tight.  Not a bad leak when sitting, idling 
>> tuning carbs, but moderate driving (< 3,500 rpm - 20 miles) and my 
>> garage floor has a 1/4 pt. puddle.
>>
>> A lot of the oil lays on the frame cross member before rolling onto 
>> the floor.  But the fan blades are clean, and oil isn't sprayed all 
>> over the front of the engine compartment.  No leaks at the rocker cover.
>>
>> I'm thinking front seal leak?, rubber seal in sump front end leak?, 
>> cracked joint between oil separator can and timing cover? Faulty pcv 
>> issue (wrong or clogged valve cover cap)?
>>
>> Is it possible that something wrong in the pcv system would cause 
>> significant oil blowing out of the front seal?
>>
>> Any thoughts or guidance on tests, measurements or inspections that 
>> minimize the extent of parts removals to help diagnose?  It's a bear 
>> to get the radiator out and in.
>>
>> I haven't done a compression test, yet, but plan to do one this morning.
>>
>> Attached foto shows some kinks in the radiator grill - they are an 
>> artifact of the panorama function in my iPhone camera - not wrinkles 
>> in the core. ;-)
>>
>> I'd like to take the car up to the British Invasion Saturday without 
>> wrecking the engine and without filling the trunk with gallons of GTX 
>> 10W40.
>>
>> Any thoughts appreciated.
>>
>> Walt
>> 60 Bugeye ... so close to being done.
>>
>> <Pre-bonnet.jpg>
>> ------------------------
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