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Old 06-03-2022, 09:59 AM   #1
Bob Bidonde
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Default Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Has anyone invented a way of draining the janitor when its full of oil without getting under the car?
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Old 06-03-2022, 10:28 AM   #2
ndnchf
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Solder a petcock to the bottom?
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Old 06-03-2022, 12:40 PM   #3
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

When I was using one on a previous engine, I cut several sheets of oil absorbent material to fit the janitor. It was easy to pick them out and replace with no mess.
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Old 06-03-2022, 04:13 PM   #4
Herb Concord Ca
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

I installed a drainplug in mine.
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Old 06-03-2022, 05:30 PM   #5
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

You can buy manual pumps for removing the engine oil through the dip stick hole. It is used a lot on marine engines where it is almost impossible to get under the engine.
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Old 06-03-2022, 05:32 PM   #6
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Cool Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

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I have to laugh about an old guy that once showed me his rear main "janitor". This consisted of a short tuna can that he had rigged up in such a manner as to allow the windage to tilt the can downward at higher speed, allowing the oil to dribble out on the roadway. At low speed or when parked the tension on the can pulled it back to horizontal so that it could catch any oil drips.

Of course this guy came from an era when all cars dripped oil, as evidenced in photos taken during the 1920's and 1930's that show a dark streak down the middle of the pavement on each side of the road.
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Old 06-03-2022, 07:01 PM   #7
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

With my first Model A in 1964, I simply wired up a small canned ham can…..it was there for 3 years until I sold it…..
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Old 06-03-2022, 07:01 PM   #8
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

With my first Model A in 1964, I simply wired up a small canned ham can…..it was there for 3 years until I sold it…..
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Old 06-03-2022, 07:26 PM   #9
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Last time this question came up I gave the same advice. I install a feminine napkin in mine and change it out once a month...
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Old 06-03-2022, 09:08 PM   #10
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

I have made my own janitors and used some old rag in them as described above but the last one I made has a tray in it which I slide out to empty. The trick was to make sure it didn't come out and end up on the road somewhere.
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Old 06-04-2022, 05:45 AM   #11
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

The barn is stuttering
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Old 06-04-2022, 05:45 AM   #12
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

We used to run a can under the air box drains on a stationary 8V71 Jimmy that ran our rock crusher.. every shift we would pour the drippings back into the crankcase.

Take that tray off,give the janitor a break..
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Old 06-04-2022, 07:09 AM   #13
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

How much oil are we talking about dripping into the pan?

Over the years every Model A I have owned has marked its spot. Never a puddle, just a few drips. I have never been able to stop the dripping. Model T the same.

Am I missing something here?

Enjoy.
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Old 06-04-2022, 07:14 AM   #14
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

A clean driveway??

Quote:
Originally Posted by WHN View Post
How much oil are we talking about dripping into the pan?

Over the years every Model A I have owned has marked its spot. Never a puddle, just a few drips. I have never been able to stop the dripping. Model T the same.

Am I missing something here?

Enjoy.
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Old 06-04-2022, 07:46 AM   #15
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Before installing the janitor, cover it with black duct tape all over, especially where the three holes slide over the bolt heads on the front of the flywheel housing and on the back of the lower bell housing. It's light-weight metal rubbing against cast iron that causes a vibration noise at certain RPMs. By taping the janitor, that vibration is dampened and you won't hear a new rattle. I finally traced an irritating high pitch metallic vibration noise to the new janitor I had installed under a friend's very worn and leaking engine. The Model A has enough noises of its own without us introducing a new one!
It also helps to bend the three janitor "ears" inward to increase the clamping pressure.
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Old 06-04-2022, 07:47 AM   #16
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Before installing the janitor, cover it with black duct tape all over, especially where the three holes slide over the bolt heads on the front of the flywheel housing and on the back of the lower bell housing. It's light-weight metal rubbing against cast iron that causes a vibration noise at certain RPMs. By taping the janitor, that vibration is dampened and you won't hear a new rattle. I finally traced an irritating high pitch metallic vibration noise to the new janitor I had installed under a friend's very worn and leaking engine. The Model A has enough noises of its own without us introducing a new one!
It also helps to bend the three janitor "ears" inward to increase the clamping pressure.
Marshall
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Old 06-04-2022, 10:08 AM   #17
WHN
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Quote:
Originally Posted by History View Post
A clean driveway??
I understand you don’t want oil all over your driveway or garage floor.

I was just interested in knowing if owners were using this for a serious leak or just what I have seen, a drip or two?

I don’t believe you can stop ever drip on these cars. I have tried for many years and have failed every time.

That is my question.

Enjoy.
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Old 06-04-2022, 12:24 PM   #18
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
Has anyone invented a way of draining the janitor when its full of oil without getting under the car?
A suction gun might work.
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Old 06-04-2022, 02:27 PM   #19
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

A second breather tube attached to the rear of the valve cover above the rear main/rear cam oil gallery seems to work well..
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Old 06-04-2022, 02:29 PM   #20
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Default Re: Rear Main Bearing Janitor

While I was trying to be cute I wasn’t trying to be a jerk. I’d bet it’s just for the typical leaks, a drop now and then.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WHN View Post
I understand you don’t want oil all over your driveway or garage floor.

I was just interested in knowing if owners were using this for a serious leak or just what I have seen, a drip or two?

I don’t believe you can stop ever drip on these cars. I have tried for many years and have failed every time.

That is my question.

Enjoy.
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