The Ford Barn

Gino · 10-12-2014, 07:47 AM

I'm sure that some who read this will disagree but here goes. My Coupe had a terrible rear oil leak. After much research and quotes as high as $6000 I found this man in Bridgewater Ma. His name is Ed Sheehan. Ed inspected the engine and determined the excessive end play was probably to blame. He put in a different crank with a modern seal, new valves and rings and even painted the engine all for $2500. So my brother and I mounted it on a running stand we fabricated, gave the cord a pull and she fired up quickly. I want to brag about how smoothly she runs. I have four Model A Engines and none of them sound as solid and smooth. I was concerned about just doing a minimal rebuild but Ed was confident and proved to be right. This man is a god send, and just a plain old great guy. If anyone would like his contact info, pm me and I'll be glad to send it along. I just want to share this, should some one else be long in the pocket with an engine problem. Thanks

DJ S · 10-12-2014, 09:10 AM

Great story! Where is he located?

Rex_A_Lott · 10-12-2014, 09:14 AM

I hope you have better luck with the modern seal than I did. It was good for a while, but it didnt last like I thought it should.

Its nice to hear you found somebody close you can depend on.

Good Luck.

Mitch//pa · 10-12-2014, 09:22 AM

you can get a quality rebuilt short block from AER for less without the chance of the modern seal failing. those quotes upwards as 6k sounds high,, . i have found its hard to feel engine harmonics on a test stand.
good luck glad it all worked out for you

James Rogers · 10-12-2014, 02:05 PM

Modern seals never last long.

Pete · 10-12-2014, 02:18 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Is 2 piece rope considered modern?

dlfrisch · 10-12-2014, 07:27 PM

Gino is in Falmouth, MA his excellent motor guy is in Bridgewater, MA.
We here in the south lands have a good shop also. I must comment a little.
I just had some pretty major engine problems with my '30 - A. Found James Rodgers, Asheville, NC, fairly close to my home land. He rebuilt my motor and did a excellent job. Money charges were right and finished job was on time ! I do and know a lot of mechanical things, I'm retired electrical engineer and after doing business with James, I must say he knows his stuff.

Gino · 10-13-2014, 05:49 AM

I have spoken on the phone with James ( Dreamwerks) and I plan on having him rebuild another of my engines or swap one. My problem at this time is the shipping. I intend to drive to Florida this year or next and plan on dropping off while dropping in. Should be fun. I must ask how long can I expect this modern seal to work? Thanks I know I get the best advice here at the Ford Barn.

James Rogers · 10-13-2014, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino

I have spoken on the phone with James ( Dreamwerks) and I plan on having him rebuild another of my engines or swap one. My problem at this time is the shipping. I intend to drive to Florida this year or next and plan on dropping off while dropping in. Should be fun. I must ask how long can I expect this modern seal to work? Thanks I know I get the best advice here at the Ford Barn.

Thanks for the complements dlfrisch. As for the longevity of the modern rear seal, it depends on the seal and how competently it was installed. They mostly all work at first but will fail in short time.

The rope seal is considered a modern seal but the problem with it is, it is not manufactured any more. It will also, tend to deteriorate and get in the pump and move through the system to clog oil transfer holes and cause failures. This was part of dlfrisch's motor along with excessive RTV sealer.

Pete · 10-13-2014, 01:18 PM

I contend that any seal PROPERLY installed will last the life of the engine. Mine do.

The main reason for short life and leaks is the seal and the crank are NOT concentric.

hardtimes · 10-13-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino

I have spoken on the phone with James ( Dreamwerks) and I plan on having him rebuild another of my engines or swap one. My problem at this time is the shipping. I intend to drive to Florida this year or next and plan on dropping off while dropping in. Should be fun. I must ask how long can I expect this modern seal to work? Thanks I know I get the best advice here at the Ford Barn.

Hey Gino,
REREAD Pete's brief statement , in this thread ! The information in that statement, if followed will give best rear main oil sealing of any seal ...ever gave ! However, as others state here also....it depends on the knowledge/skill of the assembler/installer of the modern seal. No one seems to pay attention to what Pete says here and only badmouth the rear modern seal, because 'they' repeat what has become the mantra, i.e.- that type seal does not work ,period ! Guess what...IT DOESN'T work, if not installed correctly. I have a B engine that used a NEW crank where the Ford 'slinger' was not put on this crank (Eubanks). Ergo, the concentricity of crank and modern seal were assured by assembler. This was 2002 and this modern seal does not leak to this day ....over 13 years.
The same modern seals are used on millions of modern cars with modern seals ! It is my understanding that FORD did NOT put a seal into his engine originally. The rodders of the day, back when, were responsible for putting whatever they thought would help them seal and make a better engine for racing ! Thank goodness for rodders, eh

!!
Those who like the A pissing on every spot parked on , and proud that 'they are only marking their territory'..like a dog, can put in a properly installed modern seal to stop that behavior, or buy the little tin tray that suppliers sell and hang that under the bell housing..ha

!

Gino · 10-13-2014, 04:43 PM

I'm back. Well the work is done, I have the engine from the builder. Are you suggesting I quiz him about his technique? I do know that he had the crank shaft milled. Would that not make the crank shaft concentrical to the new seal? Thanks Gino. Also James I don't expect you remember me but I spoke with you about 2 years ago.

hardtimes · 10-13-2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino

I'm back. Well the work is done, I have the engine from the builder. Are you suggesting I quiz him about his technique? I do know that he had the crank shaft milled. Would that not make the crank shaft concentrical to the new seal? Thanks Gino. Also James I don't expect you remember me but I spoke with you about 2 years ago.

'quiz' about technique ? Well, now that you hopefully have more knowledge to work with...it's your money being spent

Heck yeah, I'd ask if he knows/practices the principal. I would be surprised it he is installing same and hasn't studied up on it ! BTW, when I buy my one piece modern rear (Burtz) seals, they come with a very detailed /long winded instruction sheet. Get a copy and read/understand it. You will see what it tells an assembler what HAS to be done for successful use of modern seal. I just finished another B shortblock with modern seal. Let us know how things work out.

James Rogers · 10-13-2014, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino

I'm back. Well the work is done, I have the engine from the builder. Are you suggesting I quiz him about his technique? I do know that he had the crank shaft milled. Would that not make the crank shaft concentrical to the new seal? Thanks Gino. Also James I don't expect you remember me but I spoke with you about 2 years ago.

If you quiz him, what can be done now that the deed is done and the money spent?

Gino · 10-14-2014, 07:19 PM

Yup, James is right. I'll have the engine back in the Coupe in about three weeks. I'll run it. I'll put the date on my chalkboard and if I don't get Ebola I'll bring this up after a year with an update. Thanks for all the help.

10-12-2014, 07:47 AM	#1
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Falmouth, Ma. Posts: 313	Good engine story I'm sure that some who read this will disagree but here goes. My Coupe had a terrible rear oil leak. After much research and quotes as high as $6000 I found this man in Bridgewater Ma. His name is Ed Sheehan. Ed inspected the engine and determined the excessive end play was probably to blame. He put in a different crank with a modern seal, new valves and rings and even painted the engine all for $2500. So my brother and I mounted it on a running stand we fabricated, gave the cord a pull and she fired up quickly. I want to brag about how smoothly she runs. I have four Model A Engines and none of them sound as solid and smooth. I was concerned about just doing a minimal rebuild but Ed was confident and proved to be right. This man is a god send, and just a plain old great guy. If anyone would like his contact info, pm me and I'll be glad to send it along. I just want to share this, should some one else be long in the pocket with an engine problem. Thanks

10-12-2014, 09:10 AM	#2
DJ S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Southwick, MA Posts: 590	Re: Good engine story Great story! Where is he located?

10-12-2014, 09:14 AM	#3
Rex_A_Lott Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 794	Re: Good engine story I hope you have better luck with the modern seal than I did. It was good for a while, but it didnt last like I thought it should. Its nice to hear you found somebody close you can depend on. Good Luck.

10-12-2014, 02:05 PM	#5
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Good engine story Modern seals never last long. __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

10-12-2014, 02:18 PM	#6
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Good engine story Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is 2 piece rope considered modern?

10-12-2014, 07:27 PM	#7
dlfrisch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Florida - 32128 Posts: 416	Re: Good engine story Gino is in Falmouth, MA his excellent motor guy is in Bridgewater, MA. We here in the south lands have a good shop also. I must comment a little. I just had some pretty major engine problems with my '30 - A. Found James Rodgers, Asheville, NC, fairly close to my home land. He rebuilt my motor and did a excellent job. Money charges were right and finished job was on time ! I do and know a lot of mechanical things, I'm retired electrical engineer and after doing business with James, I must say he knows his stuff.

10-13-2014, 05:49 AM	#8
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Falmouth, Ma. Posts: 313	Re: Good engine story I have spoken on the phone with James ( Dreamwerks) and I plan on having him rebuild another of my engines or swap one. My problem at this time is the shipping. I intend to drive to Florida this year or next and plan on dropping off while dropping in. Should be fun. I must ask how long can I expect this modern seal to work? Thanks I know I get the best advice here at the Ford Barn.

10-13-2014, 01:18 PM	#10
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Good engine story I contend that any seal PROPERLY installed will last the life of the engine. Mine do. The main reason for short life and leaks is the seal and the crank are NOT concentric.

10-13-2014, 04:43 PM	#12
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Falmouth, Ma. Posts: 313	Re: Good engine story I'm back. Well the work is done, I have the engine from the builder. Are you suggesting I quiz him about his technique? I do know that he had the crank shaft milled. Would that not make the crank shaft concentrical to the new seal? Thanks Gino. Also James I don't expect you remember me but I spoke with you about 2 years ago.

10-14-2014, 07:19 PM	#15
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Falmouth, Ma. Posts: 313	Re: Good engine story Yup, James is right. I'll have the engine back in the Coupe in about three weeks. I'll run it. I'll put the date on my chalkboard and if I don't get Ebola I'll bring this up after a year with an update. Thanks for all the help.