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55 oil pan leak

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  • Fenwick B.
    Expired
    • January 1, 2005
    • 115

    55 oil pan leak

    My 55 motor was rebuilt about 5 years ago, and I have only started running it a little about a year ago. The motor was rebuilt before I got it, so I don't know much about the rebuild. I have an oil leak that appears to come from the rear main. Does any one have any suggestions about what it might be, and how to fix it?
    I also have a slight hesitation when accelerating, that I could use some some suggestions on.
    Thanks,
    Fenwick Binder
    Last edited by Fenwick B.; March 31, 2008, 05:53 PM.
  • Mike M.
    NCRS Past President
    • May 31, 1974
    • 8383

    #2
    Re: 55 oil pan leak

    i;d first remove the oil pan and replace the oil pan end seals and gaskets. if the engine rebuilder used the old rope rear main bearing seal, then it too ought to be replaced with a neoprene rear main seal which are readily available in the aftermarket. mike

    Comment

    • Fenwick B.
      Expired
      • January 1, 2005
      • 115

      #3
      Re: 55 oil pan leak

      Thanks Mike, I think that is what I'm going to do. What is the procedure to replace the rear main seal? Don't I have to loosen the mains to enable removal of the seal?

      Comment

      • Michael L.
        Expired
        • July 31, 2005
        • 562

        #4
        Re: 55 oil pan leak

        Fenwick, my engine builder put in a rope seal as well, I replaced it while it was on a stand, before it went in the frame. I just removed the rear cap, replaced the seal with a modern one ( follow instructions with the new seal and re-torqued) Removing a fresh rope seal was a PAIN, but I finally got it out with a seal puller...Good luck, hope it works!

        Mike
        Last edited by Michael L.; March 31, 2008, 10:24 PM. Reason: spelling error

        Comment

        • Roy B.
          Expired
          • February 1, 1975
          • 7044

          #5
          Re: 55 oil pan leak

          For 20 years the original rop seal worked great ,when I did replace it then it still works great now. But I undrstand the rew ones may be better

          Comment

          • Randy G.
            Expired
            • April 1, 2006
            • 358

            #6
            Re: 55 oil pan leak

            Regarding the hesitation on acceleration. If it happens when you step on the throttle it may be the accelerator pump in the carb (depending on what carb you have). The pump could be bad or the nozzle(s) are plugged.

            Comment

            • Fenwick B.
              Expired
              • January 1, 2005
              • 115

              #7
              Re: 55 oil pan leak and hesitation when accelerating

              Well, I have my hesitation problem solved. I removed the carburuter and installed a kit in it. It runs great now.
              I put some die in the motor oil, and found out that the oil leak was coming from the drain hole in the bottom of the converter. The rear main has to be leaking. Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to solve it? I want to be sure that if I take the pan off, I will be able to stop the leak.
              Thanks, Fenwick Binder

              Comment

              • Gary C.
                Administrator
                • October 1, 1982
                • 17662

                #8
                Re: 55 oil pan leak

                Fenwick, recommend taking the pan off and installing one of the new neoprene seals in place of the rope seal. This's the best solution in the long run and should keep any future leaks from happening. Good luck, Gary....
                NCRS Texas Chapter
                https://www.ncrstexas.org/

                https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631

                Comment

                • John G.
                  Very Frequent User
                  • January 1, 2004
                  • 238

                  #9
                  Re: 55 oil pan leak

                  I had a leaky rear main seal - about a drop every 45 to 60 seconds - on a fresh rebuilt 327. The rear main was seal was brand new that came with the gasket set (Fel Pro).

                  After seal removal and inspection there were no obvious irregularities in the seal lips, or crankshaft main. The rear main cap parting surfaces had been sealed as per rebuild manual. Not sure why it leaked.

                  A GM rear main seal looked like the best available so one was ordered up as 'insurance' against the stopping the leak. These seals are a little pricey, but, with the new seal installed and engine fired up and running.................no leak!

                  Comment

                  • Fenwick B.
                    Expired
                    • January 1, 2005
                    • 115

                    #10
                    Re: 55 oil pan leak

                    Thanks for the responses. How did you replace the seal? Did you have to loosen the mains?

                    Comment

                    • John G.
                      Very Frequent User
                      • January 1, 2004
                      • 238

                      #11
                      Re: 55 oil pan leak

                      In my case I didn't need to loosen the other main caps. I wondered if that would be the case, too, but it turned out to not be necessary.

                      When I made a forum inquiry about my rear main seal problem Joe Lucia mentioned that because my engine was a fresh rebuild there was a good chance the upper portion of the seal half inside the block likely wouldn't be 'cooked', or stuck in place which would make removal more difficult. That was the case - the seal came out easily. The new seal installed easily, as well. To insure that the seal isn't goughed a small 'shoe' helps guide the new seal up inside the block.

                      If your engine has the old rope seal it will be harder to remove. Loosening the mains will likely be needed to help facilitate seal removal. IIRC, I think there was a tool that was called a 'chinese finger' that gripped and helped in removing rope seals. Needle nose pliers, otherwise.

                      I didn't know it at the time but Fel Pro makes the same seal as the one available from GM. I don't have the part # handy.

                      Be careful not to nick the crankshaft main! ..
                      Last edited by John G.; April 30, 2008, 01:31 PM.

                      Comment

                      • John G.
                        Very Frequent User
                        • January 1, 2004
                        • 238

                        #12
                        Re: 55 oil pan leak

                        Tried to edit an 'oops'. . The 'chinese finger' was used to install the rope seal, not remove! .. Jeez .. OGD (old guy disease)

                        Comment

                        • Fenwick B.
                          Expired
                          • January 1, 2005
                          • 115

                          #13
                          Re: 55 oil pan leak

                          Thanks John. I wil l order a new seal, and put it in when I get it. Removing the pan on a 55 is a lot easier than on the newer cars. Nothing is in the way.

                          Comment

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