TROUBLESHOOTING
1953-1960 Classic Car Engines Troubleshooting Guide: Engine Oil Leakage
Things to Look For:
- Oil pan drain plug loose or gasket missing.
- Crack or hole in oil pan.
- Oil pan gasket leaks due to: (a) loose screws; (b) damaged gasket; (c) improperly installed gasket; (d) bent oil pan flange.
- Timing case cover gasket leaks due to: (a) loose screws; (b) damaged gasket; (c) improperly installed gasket; (d) bent cover flange; (e) leakage at engine support plate.
- Front crankshaft oil seal leaks due to: (a) worn oil seal; (b) seal not properly installed; (c) rough surface on crankshaft, or fan pulley or damper; (d) damper or pulley loose; (e) seal or cover not centered on crankshaft; (f) oil return passage to crankcase clogged up (if provided).
- Rear main bearing oil seal leaks due to: (a) worn oil seal; (b) improper oil seal installation; (c) worn rear main bearing; (d) rough crankshaft surface.
- Oil return passage to crankcase clogged.
- Expansion plug in block at rear of camshaft leaks due to poor fit, careless installation, or corrosion.
- Leakage at any external piping.
- Plugs at ends of oil passages in cylinder block leak.
- Oil filter leaks.
- Leakage at distributor housing.
- Valve cover leaks due to loose screws, defective gasket, improperly installed gasket or bent cover flange.
- Rocker arm cover or push rod cover leaks because of loose screws, defective gasket, improper gasket installation or bent cover flange.
- Pipe connections loose on oil gauge or oil filter lines.
- Loose oil pump or faulty gasket (if pump is on outside of block).
- Clogged breather and/or crankcase ventilating discharge pipe, permits increase in pressure within engine, thus causing oil to be forced out past any oil seals or gaskets.
- If oil pressure relief valve is mounted on outside of block, leakage may occur if unit is loose or its gasket defective.
The Complete Guide to Troubleshooting 1953-1960 Era American Classic Car Engines