The Ford Barn

ModelAArmy · 07-02-2022, 02:50 PM

I just changed the oil for the first time. It seemed easy to do. After adding oil, I had some new oil leak from a small hole in the bottom of the bell housing behind the oil pan. Is this normal or did I add the new oil too fast. What is this hole for. Thanks

hazelhoff · 07-02-2022, 03:06 PM

You are most welcome to the Ford Barn. Happy you met the all time Model A problem. The answer to the question being yes and no !
There shouldn’t be oil leaking from the Bell Housing but there WILL !

lotsagas4u · 07-02-2022, 04:06 PM

Use 4 qts to refill, should be a big cotter pin in that hole. Vibration keeps the pin moving, thus keeping hole open for drainage.

nkaminar · 07-02-2022, 06:03 PM

The rear main will leak a little bit. It will leak more if the engine has too much oil or the filler tube or cap is restricting the crankcase fumes from exiting. The hole is where the oil from the rear main goes. The cotter key keeps the hole clear as Lotsagas4u said. If it starts leaking a bunch then it may be time to tighten up the bearings. A low viscosity oil will also cause the rear main to leak a little more. The rear seal is a labyrinth seal with no parts to wear out. There are slingers that throw the oil into a trough where it flows back into the pan through a little tube. It works OK except if overwhelmed by too much oil. Most Model A's will leak a little oil from that hole.

marty in Ohio · 07-03-2022, 07:19 AM

I was confused when I first got my "A" and it was time to change the oil. Everywhere I read it said the engine held 5 quarts of oil, and of course when I did my first oil change I dumped in 5 quarts of oil. There is a dipper tray in the oil pan that retains about a quart. So, when you change oil only put in 4 quarts.
I know, it didn't make sense to me either, but that's the way it is.
Marty

jack backer · 07-03-2022, 08:44 AM

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It will make sense when you understand the rod bearings are lubricated by ‘scoops’ in the rod (dippers) that pass through the oil that sits in pools on the tray, insuring the bearings are lubricated immediately on start up.

jg61hawk · 07-03-2022, 04:27 PM

Just to be a little more clear they "leak" by design. The big front Radius Rods come to a ball that is oiled by a wick system, the oil runs around the ball and drops out. The cotter pin hole is designed to 'leak". A few leaks means one thing...it's not empty!!

07-02-2022, 02:50 PM	#1
ModelAArmy Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Mansfield Texas Posts: 51	First Oil Change I just changed the oil for the first time. It seemed easy to do. After adding oil, I had some new oil leak from a small hole in the bottom of the bell housing behind the oil pan. Is this normal or did I add the new oil too fast. What is this hole for. Thanks

07-02-2022, 03:06 PM	#2
hazelhoff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 387	Re: First Oil Change You are most welcome to the Ford Barn. Happy you met the all time Model A problem. The answer to the question being yes and no ! There shouldn’t be oil leaking from the Bell Housing but there WILL ! __________________ You don’t own a Model A ... it owns you !

07-02-2022, 04:06 PM	#3
lotsagas4u Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Plainview, Texas Posts: 757	Re: First Oil Change Use 4 qts to refill, should be a big cotter pin in that hole. Vibration keeps the pin moving, thus keeping hole open for drainage.

07-02-2022, 06:03 PM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,907	Re: First Oil Change The rear main will leak a little bit. It will leak more if the engine has too much oil or the filler tube or cap is restricting the crankcase fumes from exiting. The hole is where the oil from the rear main goes. The cotter key keeps the hole clear as Lotsagas4u said. If it starts leaking a bunch then it may be time to tighten up the bearings. A low viscosity oil will also cause the rear main to leak a little more. The rear seal is a labyrinth seal with no parts to wear out. There are slingers that throw the oil into a trough where it flows back into the pan through a little tube. It works OK except if overwhelmed by too much oil. Most Model A's will leak a little oil from that hole. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-03-2022, 07:19 AM	#5
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 757	Re: First Oil Change I was confused when I first got my "A" and it was time to change the oil. Everywhere I read it said the engine held 5 quarts of oil, and of course when I did my first oil change I dumped in 5 quarts of oil. There is a dipper tray in the oil pan that retains about a quart. So, when you change oil only put in 4 quarts. I know, it didn't make sense to me either, but that's the way it is. Marty

07-03-2022, 08:44 AM	#6
jack backer BANNED Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chenango Bridge NY Posts: 433	Re: First Oil Change Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It will make sense when you understand the rod bearings are lubricated by ‘scoops’ in the rod (dippers) that pass through the oil that sits in pools on the tray, insuring the bearings are lubricated immediately on start up.

07-03-2022, 04:27 PM	#7
jg61hawk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 409	Re: First Oil Change Just to be a little more clear they "leak" by design. The big front Radius Rods come to a ball that is oiled by a wick system, the oil runs around the ball and drops out. The cotter pin hole is designed to 'leak". A few leaks means one thing...it's not empty!!