The Ford Barn

Jerry in Shasta · 06-01-2019, 02:36 PM

Just started a new rebulit engine. Ptoblem is the front maing braring bolts are leaking a lot of oil from under the nuts.on top.

I'm told that G.M. has a wsher that will stop the leak,. I also might try a very thin "O" ring under the bolt head.
Any idea if there ia such a G.M. washer and how/where to find.

Thanks

Jerry

redmodelt · 06-01-2019, 03:11 PM

You would have to pull the pan to install, you can't just loosen the nut to install a seal. Seem to me if you are leaking that much oil there is something else going on. Are you sure it's not the timing cover or did you/they use lock washers? The GM type might work, I would stay away from O rings. The other thing might be to use sealer around the bolt under the nuts if you go that far.

Jerry in Shasta · 06-01-2019, 03:25 PM

I plan on pulling the pan and doing the job right.
JB

Purdy Swoft · 06-01-2019, 03:41 PM

A possible cause for an oil leak around the exposed ends of the front main bearing bolts is the shims. If a short cut was made by slotting a shim so that it could be installed like connecting rod shim it will cause a problem like you have described . Whatever the cause the oil pan will still need to be removed . If it was mine I wouldremove the bearind cap and check the shims . It would be good to check the clearance and remove and replace any slotted shims . You will have to deal with the square heads of the main bearing bolts . there is a special socket that can be used on the main bearing bolts .

Purdy Swoft · 06-01-2019, 03:54 PM

The socket that I got from one of the model A parts venders was 9/16-- 8 point . Bratton or Snyder will both list this socket and can be viewed on line .

1crosscut · 06-02-2019, 09:06 PM

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The person that rebuilt your engine should be making this right for you. Pulling it apart yourself will probably void the warranty. What does your builder say??

Synchro909 · 06-02-2019, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

The person that rebuilt your engine should be making this right for you. Pulling it apart yourself will probably void the warranty. What does your builder say??

That's where I'd start.

Jerry in Shasta · 06-03-2019, 12:26 PM

GOOD NEWS,
It was a leak between the water pump and the head. Anti-freeze was dripping down on the bolts. The anti-freeze had a very oilly feel.

The problem with going back to the rebuilder is I'm the third owner of the engine. It has set for about 4 years before I started it

A new gasket solved the problem.

Yhanks for all the suggestions
JB

Ernie Vitucci · 06-03-2019, 05:01 PM

Good afternoon...If the builder is known, then go ahead and contact them. At the very least, they can tell you what was done to THAT engine and you can open up a relationship that might come in handy down the road...Ernie in Arizona

Synchro909 · 06-03-2019, 07:16 PM

You're a lucky guy, Jerry. The fix for that is soooo easy. Bet you were a happy chappy when you foud the problem!

Kohnke Rebabbitting · 06-04-2019, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry in Shasta

Just started a new rebulit engine. Ptoblem is the front maing braring bolts are leaking a lot of oil from under the nuts.on top.

I'm told that G.M. has a wsher that will stop the leak,. I also might try a very thin "O" ring under the bolt head.
Any idea if there ia such a G.M. washer and how/where to find.

Thanks

Jerry

If you are not using lock washers, the best thing to use are flat, lead washers. 1/2 inch size. Then use a cotter key.

We some have made hundreds, out of plumbers sheet lead, for all kinds of leaks.

Tighten the nut, and easily trim the excess.

Herm.

06-01-2019, 02:36 PM	#1
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Front Main Bearing bolt leak Just started a new rebulit engine. Ptoblem is the front maing braring bolts are leaking a lot of oil from under the nuts.on top. I'm told that G.M. has a wsher that will stop the leak,. I also might try a very thin "O" ring under the bolt head. Any idea if there ia such a G.M. washer and how/where to find. Thanks Jerry __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

06-01-2019, 03:11 PM	#2
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak You would have to pull the pan to install, you can't just loosen the nut to install a seal. Seem to me if you are leaking that much oil there is something else going on. Are you sure it's not the timing cover or did you/they use lock washers? The GM type might work, I would stay away from O rings. The other thing might be to use sealer around the bolt under the nuts if you go that far. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

06-01-2019, 03:25 PM	#3
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak I plan on pulling the pan and doing the job right. JB __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

06-01-2019, 03:41 PM	#4
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak A possible cause for an oil leak around the exposed ends of the front main bearing bolts is the shims. If a short cut was made by slotting a shim so that it could be installed like connecting rod shim it will cause a problem like you have described . Whatever the cause the oil pan will still need to be removed . If it was mine I wouldremove the bearind cap and check the shims . It would be good to check the clearance and remove and replace any slotted shims . You will have to deal with the square heads of the main bearing bolts . there is a special socket that can be used on the main bearing bolts .

06-01-2019, 03:54 PM	#5
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak The socket that I got from one of the model A parts venders was 9/16-- 8 point . Bratton or Snyder will both list this socket and can be viewed on line .

06-02-2019, 09:06 PM	#6
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The person that rebuilt your engine should be making this right for you. Pulling it apart yourself will probably void the warranty. What does your builder say?? __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

06-03-2019, 12:26 PM	#8
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak GOOD NEWS, It was a leak between the water pump and the head. Anti-freeze was dripping down on the bolts. The anti-freeze had a very oilly feel. The problem with going back to the rebuilder is I'm the third owner of the engine. It has set for about 4 years before I started it A new gasket solved the problem. Yhanks for all the suggestions JB __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

06-03-2019, 05:01 PM	#9
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 612	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak Good afternoon...If the builder is known, then go ahead and contact them. At the very least, they can tell you what was done to THAT engine and you can open up a relationship that might come in handy down the road...Ernie in Arizona

06-03-2019, 07:16 PM	#10
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Front Main Bearing bolt leak You're a lucky guy, Jerry. The fix for that is soooo easy. Bet you were a happy chappy when you foud the problem! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.