MTFCA Forum

Hi all,
I have gotten the T running (and driving a little) and noticed that it left a trail of oil everywhere. It seems like it's coming from the gasket between the block and pan toward the left rear. I think that a section of cork gasket may have opened up at this spot. Is there any kind of fix for this short of pulling the engine and separating block from pan? I think I know the answer but would love it if someone has had success with this.
Thanks,
John

I have seen this quick fix by cleaning that area real well to remove the oil then add RTV and push it into the cracks, I have tore many down that looked like this fix.

NY John T wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:38 am

Hi all,
I have gotten the T running (and driving a little) and noticed that it left a trail of oil everywhere. It seems like it's coming from the gasket between the block and pan toward the left rear. I think that a section of cork gasket may have opened up at this spot. Is there any kind of fix for this short of pulling the engine and separating block from pan? I think I know the answer but would love it if someone has had success with this.
Thanks,
John

Find the area exactly. Hook a shop vac hose into oil breather. Seal all motor holes with stuffed rags. (like carb rod thru the block.) With the vac on, spray brake cleaner around suspected areas. Fluid will suck in where the leaks are. Clean well with the brake cleaner. Squirt some ultra black into the voids. It will also suck in. Dont let it take a lot. Enough to fill the voids, but not make rubber worms loose in the motor. (dependent on void size) Shut off vac. Let dry over night. Repeat next day for confirmation of seal or to further seal.

This may seem unrelated, but do you have the mag coil ring installed in your engine? If you left it out, as well as its mounting bolts, the oil may be leaking out of one of the bolts holes. The depth of those bolt holes is such that sometimes, a bolt hole will just barely break through to the exterior surface of the block. It may just be a very small hole, but it will move out lots of oil! Happened with my '26 Fordor...

I would check if its coming out from a coil ring bolt. Seems to me that if the mag ring is removed that some left side bolt threads pop out the surface. This would be just inside the starter.RTV would be my fix.

got10carz wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 12:36 pm

I would check if its coming out from a coil ring bolt. Seems to me that if the mag ring is removed that some left side bolt threads pop out the surface. This would be just inside the starter.RTV would be my fix.

What a brilliant thought!

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. This block is on my bench, the hole is about 1/8".

I've seen many leaks temporarily stopped by stuffing rags or string into the gap with screw driver or putty knife.
Rich

Opps I was confused by pictures and solutions
I removed the picture

Hi All,
Thanks so much for the great replies. The mag wire is attached and I don't see any leaking from that area. I will have to check again, though.
John

John, you said "between the block and pan toward the left rear". Does your car have a starter? I had worn out bearing on a starter that leaked oil all over the place. I also fixed a friend's 26 sedan with a missing lower starter mounting screw that leaked tremendous amounts of oil!

John, a leak in that general location could be a loose starter bendix cover or screw. They can really gush oil out.

I agree, check all the above. A few other possible problems:
Over fill of the crankcase. The oil should not be above the upper petcock.
Leak around the pedal shafts and the hogs head.
Leak around the bendix cover
This one requires removal of the hogs head. Felt seal not fitting all the way around the joint between hogs head and block. Often the corner where the hogs head and the crank case and the block comes together leaks. Sometimes can be sealed by cleaning and using ultra black, other times requires removal of hogs head and new gaskets.
Norm

I would not spray carb cleaner or any other flammable substance around a vacuum cleaner. They most all have brush type motors and can easily ignite vapors causing a fire or explosion.

got10carz wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 1:23 pm

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. This block is on my bench, the hole is about 1/8".

I was mistaken in thinking that this picture was from NY John T - it was from got10carz.

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:43 pm

I would not spray carb cleaner or any other flammable substance around a vacuum cleaner. They most all have brush type motors and can easily ignite vapors causing a fire or explosion.

The vacuum is a good 6' away. I suppose If you really tried hard, squirting into the motor housing, you could get a flash.
A new project for tonight! Safety last!

That small hole is from the magneto field coil mounting bolt hole from the back side - quite common - better check the other side also - they can weep copious amounts of oil ! The crack is in one of the block rail bolt holes.

The pictures of the block that Steve M. posted are NOT the block/engine mentioned by the original poster.

And your point being ? That can be a source of grief.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 6:28 pm

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:43 pm

I would not spray carb cleaner or any other flammable substance around a vacuum cleaner. They most all have brush type motors and can easily ignite vapors causing a fire or explosion.

The vacuum is a good 6' away. I suppose If you really tried hard, squirting into the motor housing, you could get a flash.
A new project for tonight! Safety last!

This is a darn good safety warning that shouldn’t be overlooked! If you attach a vacuum to a crankcase and spray something flammable on leaky gaskets to clean them, then the flammable vapors are going into the vacuum. Vacuums produce lots of static electricity internally in the hose and dust container AND the motors are not fully isolated from the vacuum. Yes, it might not be likely that the flammable mixture would be just right to get an explosion, but then again, maybe it would... This is just something you SHOULD NOT DO, for basic safety.

Imagine if someone grabbed a can of starting fluid instead of brake clean!

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:11 pm

And your point being ? That can be a source of grief.

Yes, I know it can be a source of grief... read my posting on 12/8 @ 12:30PM

I give up... this thread is like "Who's on First".

Have fun guys, Happy Holidays!

What's on second.
Craig.