[Spridgets] Bugeye/Frogeye Club..... Excessive oil leak -1275 cc - front end [1 Attachment]

Wed Sep 16 04:45:43 MDT 2015

Bob, Jim, Kent, Gerard, Bob, Bob, (Alan & Steve off line). et al.
Many thanks for input - the suggestions are very helpful, and trials on diagnosis continue today.  The observation about a fresh engine producing excessive crank pressure was most useful - new to me - and a good explanation for why the PCV system isn't maintaining crankcase vacuum - hadn't thought of that.  Engine has been run lightly loaded (<3,500 rpm) for only about 1 hr since rebuild.  How many hours run time to seat the rings?
There's one other wrinkle - I believe that there might be a crack in the joint between the timing cover and the separator can.  Does anyone know how that joint is made?  Braze?  In any case - I will be replacing the timing cover seal (and maybe the timing cover). Is there a source for timing covers with the separator?
Now a couple other questions.
Since I am a newbie at this ... are there preferred sealants for the timing cover gasket and pan gasket - and which surfaces should be (should not be) slathered with thin layers?
next - can anyone advise on the proper hardware to be used in the speed cable/gearbox connection assembly.  This joint appears to have a moderately healthy seep - what I can see is a plastic (nylon?) boss and a copper washer and I'm reluctant to crank it too tight for fear of stripping the nylon threads.  Is there a sealant used here?  
Walt

      From: Bob Gardner <rdgard at cox.net>
 To: bugeye at yahoogroups.com; 'Walt Swift' <wlswift at yahoo.com> 
 Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 11:12 PM
 Subject: RE: Bugeye/Frogeye Club..... Excessive oil leak -1275 cc - front end [1 Attachment]

Walt,  Strange leak from front.  First, with engine warm, take off oil cap from valve cover.  Place a latex glove or small zip-lock baggie over hole.  If it stands up strong, too much pressure in crankcase.  Usually forces oil out of rear main past scroll.  Can be many causes, rings, valve guides, PCV stuff etc.  Usually just vent to outside air with tube or hose into a catch tank.  Because  leak is in front, probably timing cover seal.  A lot of oil usually means small leak and pressure forcing it out;  For your trip you may try putting a red rag over oil filler hole and taping in down.  That will let pressure vent out and not puke out of timing cover for your trip.  Fix it later.  Have a good trip.  bob  From: bugeye at yahoogroups.com [mailto:bugeye at yahoogroups.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 10:30 AM
To: spridgets at autox.team.net; bugeye at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Bugeye/Frogeye Club..... Excessive oil leak -1275 cc - front end [1 Attachment]    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.  Walt60 Bugeye ... so close to being done.   __._,_.___View attachments on the web Posted by: Walt Swift <wlswift at yahoo.com> 
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