Debris in The Wretched Roadster’s Oil

[David in San Antonio]

When I last changed The Wretched Roadster’s oil a few months ago (first time in my brief ownership) I put a neodymium rare earth magnet on the outside of the oil drain plug, figuring it would pull ferrous particles, if any, out of suspension. The engine is internally stock configuration, Babbitt bearings, no oil filter, no air filter. It does have engine pans.
Yesterday I changed the oil again. The magnet hadn’t budged. The drain plug was almost completely filled with debris which I had to dig out with a flat bladed screwdriver. Most of the debris I would describe as grit, which was not attracted to a magnet. However, there were several bits that were definitely ferrous, ranging in size from tiny burrs to splinters. There were also some non magnetic bits which resembled slivers of hardwood charcoal, but not compressible. They also remind me of brake pad material. I’m not suggesting they are any of these, just that’s what they resemble. I’m a newbie so I have nothing to compare this to.
Your thoughts?

[Flathead]

Possibly pieces of your timing gear, not too hard to pull the timing gear side cover check teeth as you rotate engine for a full view.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by Flathead

Possibly pieces of your timing gear, not too hard to pull the timing gear side cover check teeth as you rotate engine for a full view.

I agree! Don’t go crazy, check the easy things.

Do you know when the oil pan was lasted removed and cleaned?

Enjoy.

[David in San Antonio]

I do not know when the oil pan was last pulled. I’m guessing that the car was seldom used in the several decades. It’s a very old restoration (1957 or so!).

[Y-Blockhead]

As mentioned, pull the timing gear side cover off and have a look see.

[mcgarrett]

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Yes, check that timing gear. Helping a friend getting a '29 Roadster back on the road that had been sitting for several years, we pulled the pan and oil pump and noticed a LOT of fuzzy looking junk accumulated on the pump strainer. Checked the timing gear (what was left of it) and it had shelled the teeth so bad it looked like an old dried out corn cob - very few teeth left!!

[Brentwood Bob]

When the fiber timing gear wears the debris plugs up the oil passages. From experience of others, changing the timing gear on the Donner Grade, (coming back from Reno)and the oil in the oil pan (my donated oil)without cleaning out the valve chamber, or the pan, was a partial fix. Got the guy a few hundred miles further toward LA.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

As mentioned, pull the timing gear side cover off and have a look see.

Nice looking engine!

Enjoy.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by WHN

Nice looking engine!

Enjoy.

Thank you!

[Smokedtires]

Make sure you undo the oil pan bolts that hold the inspection cover in place. I didn't see that annotated in the Les Andrew's book. My screws were hidden by the side trays.

[Waorani]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

As mentioned, pull the timing gear side cover off and have a look see.

What oil filter adapter is that?

[David in San Antonio]

Thanks everyone. I’ll pull the timing cover and the pan. First I’m going to look for the threads about oil filter kits and do it all at the same time.

[Brentwood Bob]

Suggest pulling the valve cover. The oil channels to the crank are important. And the cam.