The Ford Barn

Bill Cal. · 11-11-2021, 01:37 PM

Where should I begin? Thank you.

johnbuckley · 11-11-2021, 02:45 PM

easy things first... 1) change oil and check head studs are correct tightness . 2) if water reappears in the fresh oil then head off and see if any cracks visible .... if it looks Ok on head and block then 3) new head gasket, reassemble, and monitor

Ed in Maine · 11-11-2021, 03:33 PM

I think checking the torque on the head nuts will tell you a lot. I recently purchased a 31 Victoria and after about 150 miles I found water in the oil. I checked the head nuts and they were way under the proper torque. You have nothing to loose but some oil to bring the nuts up to 55 ft-lbs. and refill the radiator with water and crankcase with oil. Recheck your torque values daily for about a week to be sure the head is fully seated. If you still get water in your oil, you have to remove the head and change the head gasket. Ed

Fhane · 11-11-2021, 04:03 PM

I am confused. How does water get in oil through the head gasket

Synchro909 · 11-11-2021, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fhane

I am confused. How does water get in oil through the head gasket

Puzzles me too. IMO, the probable way water got into the oil is via a crack in the usual place between the exhaust valve in #2 or #3 and the cylinder. The crack would have migrated down the bore, likely trough a valve guide and into the water jacket. If that is so, the block is scrap.

eagle · 11-11-2021, 05:41 PM

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Is it water or coolant? Short run times will cause condensation in the oil pan. Over time it can amount to quite a bit.

johnbuckley · 11-12-2021, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fhane

I am confused. How does water get in oil through the head gasket

Same way as it would if head not sufficiently torqued, seepage along and into bore and seeping thro the rings... More likely to be apparent if car has been standing for a few days/weeks as if regularly run the water evaps when warm. As Ed in Maine says re-checking torque is important.

Mike Peters · 11-12-2021, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnbuckley

Same way as it would if head not sufficiently torqued, seepage along and into bore and seeping thro the rings... More likely to be apparent if car has been standing for a few days/weeks as if regularly run the water evaps when warm. As Ed in Maine says re-checking torque is important.

I once had a car with a small oil seepage along the head gasket on the drivers side. No water in the oil pan, though. Comes out the head gasket through the rings. Learned something new today. Thanks

Will N · 11-12-2021, 10:57 AM

In addition to torquing the head nuts, make sure you follow the correct tightening sequence. I did a carbon job on my Model T, new gasket, and followed what I thought was the proper sequence, only to have the water in the radiator end up in the oil. Found out about when I went to hand crank it and it wouldn't turn over because a cylinder was filled with water. Thank goodness I was running plain water at the time, or the bearings could have been ruined. I checked a better source for the tightening sequence on the next go 'round, and no problems since.

Bill Cal. · 11-12-2021, 10:48 PM

So what is the right tightening sequence? I used to have a nice little drawing with numbers on the head bolts but can't seem to find it, think it came from a Bratton's catalog. Sure want to thank everyone for their help. You sure are a nice group of folks, Bill

johnbuckley · 11-13-2021, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Cal.

So what is the right tightening sequence?

basically work out from the centre gradually and in all directions ... ( I presume this applies to all cyl heads not just Ford As)
see http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/tighteningsequence.htm

nkaminar · 11-13-2021, 06:52 AM

I have my head screwed on correctly. I think. My wife disagrees.

11-11-2021, 01:37 PM	#1
Bill Cal. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 174	water in the oil Where should I begin? Thank you.

11-11-2021, 04:03 PM	#4
Fhane Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stuart Florida Posts: 148	Re: water in the oil I am confused. How does water get in oil through the head gasket

11-11-2021, 05:41 PM	#6
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: water in the oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is it water or coolant? Short run times will cause condensation in the oil pan. Over time it can amount to quite a bit. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

11-12-2021, 10:57 AM	#9
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: water in the oil In addition to torquing the head nuts, make sure you follow the correct tightening sequence. I did a carbon job on my Model T, new gasket, and followed what I thought was the proper sequence, only to have the water in the radiator end up in the oil. Found out about when I went to hand crank it and it wouldn't turn over because a cylinder was filled with water. Thank goodness I was running plain water at the time, or the bearings could have been ruined. I checked a better source for the tightening sequence on the next go 'round, and no problems since.

11-12-2021, 10:48 PM	#10
Bill Cal. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 174	Re: water in the oil So what is the right tightening sequence? I used to have a nice little drawing with numbers on the head bolts but can't seem to find it, think it came from a Bratton's catalog. Sure want to thank everyone for their help. You sure are a nice group of folks, Bill

11-11-2021, 02:45 PM	#2
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,442	Re: water in the oil easy things first... 1) change oil and check head studs are correct tightness . 2) if water reappears in the fresh oil then head off and see if any cracks visible .... if it looks Ok on head and block then 3) new head gasket, reassemble, and monitor

11-11-2021, 03:33 PM	#3
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Re: water in the oil I think checking the torque on the head nuts will tell you a lot. I recently purchased a 31 Victoria and after about 150 miles I found water in the oil. I checked the head nuts and they were way under the proper torque. You have nothing to loose but some oil to bring the nuts up to 55 ft-lbs. and refill the radiator with water and crankcase with oil. Recheck your torque values daily for about a week to be sure the head is fully seated. If you still get water in your oil, you have to remove the head and change the head gasket. Ed

11-13-2021, 06:52 AM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: water in the oil I have my head screwed on correctly. I think. My wife disagrees. __________________ 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.