C1 Oil Leak

[Patrick S.]

I finally discovered the oil leak in my 1962 with FI. As I kneeled down on the drivers side door to change my flasher, my elbow got soaked in oil, the rug was soaked. Apparently oil is running down the tach cable and dripping off the low point.
What holds the oil from the distributor (FI type) from flooding the cable? I pulled the tach drive fitting off the back of the FI drive but did not see any type of "O" ring or gasket. I put a rubber gasket between the cable housing and the dist. fitting but I fear the cable will still fill up with oil.
What am I missing?
Pat (NCRS 12382)

[John F.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Check for brake fluid dripping near the rubber boot where the brake linkage attaches to the master cylinder.
John F

[Kevin P.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Check the copper oil line going to the gauge? Kevin (775)

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

The FI distributor, as you know, has pressurized oil coming into it from the oil line that comes off the top of the back of the block (and also feeds the oil gauge) I don't have the schematic in front of me here at work, but I know there is a regular seal in the distributor to keep the oil from doing exactly what you're mentioning. I know John D and others can be more specific than I am. It will involve removing the distributor from the block and replacing the seal.

[Patrick S.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

It's definately engine oil and it is definately coming out of the distributor tach drive. I guess I'll have to work on the distributor. Any advise on replacing the seal? Is there a picture of the FI dist breakdown anywhere? The ST-12 (6Y-3) doesn't seem to show a seal on the cross shaft.
Thanks,

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Pat,
There is really no good breakdown of the dist that I'm aware of.
Basically you have 2 choices, do it yourself, or send it to someone who does dist rebuilding. BOTH will require removal and teardown of your dist. Period!

There are a total of 3 seals in your dist.
One is BETWEEN the upper and lower halves of the dist, and can be tricky (if you're unfamiliar with replacement) to remove/replace.
The second is in the pump drive cable fitting that is attached with 3 screws.
The third, which is the one causing your oil leak, is in the tach cable drive part of the dist. To gain access to this seal, you will need to at the VERY LEAST, get the main shaft removed (ya, ya, ya, it can be replaced without removing the main shaft, but with greater risk of damage to the cross shaft bushing).
So, if you're going to go to this much trouble, might as well go through the dist, or, as I mentioned, send it to a dist rebuilder.

[Patrick S.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Is it possible for oil to reach the tach head? I'd hate to ruin my newly rebuilt gauge that works great.

[David K.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

I sent my dist.in and I am sure glad I did. Like you, I had the gauges rebuilt as well, no sense stopping now. After all, what is a few dollars now after I spent so much to get where the car is now. Get her all fixed and enjoy.

[Bruce B.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Try Don Baker at 815 498-9522.
He is the FI dist guy.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Try Don Baker at 815 498-9522.
He is the FI dist guy.

ABSOLUTELY, I agree, I failed to mention Don Baker------------he's excellent! And yes, I have used him personally.

[Patrick S.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

I did a search and found alot of older discussion about Melling 55HP oil pumps and the problems they cause. Could this be a contributor to my problem? I don't know what is in the engine although the engine was rebuilt and a note indicating "rebuilt Vette pump" with the invoices.
I noticed that my oil pressure is 60 lbs. at startup, is this too much? It does settle to mid gauge when it is warm. I also used Shell Rotella 15-45 during my last oil change, should I be using 10-30?
Pat

[John H.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

I did a search and found alot of older discussion about Melling 55HP oil pumps and the problems they cause. Could this be a contributor to my problem? I noticed that my oil pressure is 60 lbs. at startup, is this too much? It does settle to mid gauge when it is warm. I also used Shell Rotella 15-45 during my last oil change, should I be using 10-30?
Pat

Pat -

The oil weight/pressure isn't the problem - the internal seal in the distributor is. Don Baker can fix it.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

Pat -

The oil weight/pressure isn't the problem - the internal seal in the distributor is. Don Baker can fix it.

Pat,
This is probably the best information you're going to get.
You gotta pull it out to fix it. PERIOD. The fix is new seals/gaskets. If you're not willing to tackle it, I would highly recommend Don Baker.

[Loren L.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

And while it's out, check bushings, etc.........put the problems to rest.

[Patrick S.]

Re: C1 Oil Leak

I have made a temporary fix by adding a second oil seal that is working fine. I'll wait till driving season is over to pull the dist. and have it rebuilt.
Pat