Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Stuart2u]

Hello....I seem fixated by trying to stop oil leaks....I'm not, just like to get the engine as dry as possible within the confines of fairly 'loose' engineering, which means I will never get the engine oil leak free, but I can improve things. So what now? I have traced another oil leak back to the tappet access cover on the side of the engine. Although the gasket was reasonably new, I replaced it and added a little blue stuff to fix it in place (fixed to the block and not to the access plate). Seems not to have solved the problem......so please anyone, where am I going wrong?

The puzzle for me is that the cork gasket which covers the entire tappet opening has a number of....what I can only describe as breather holes punched into the lower section. These are bound to allow oil thats spashing about in that area to escape and fall between the gasket and the front plate. If that is the case and I sealed the gasket to the front plate, the escaping oil would soon pool between the gasket and the front plate and although some of it could return from wence it came, a fair amount could never escape back into the engine and could only stay pooled or leak out, which over time it will do.

Any ideas please.

Stuart

[Rick]

Is the cover perfectly flat?

Was the gasket an old-stock item, one that perhaps has gone a little brittle/stiff?

RJ
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[colwyn500]

I would remove the cover and detach the gasket from the block. Use some high performance gasket sealant,such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Loctite-5910-Premium-Black-Silicone-Gasket-Maker-Sealant-Engine-Covers-etc-/280874607123?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item41656e6213 on both the block and the cover . Be sparing and apply the sealant evenly. I have used this compound in many places on my Austin 10 engine and been pleased with its reliability and ability to fill uneven gaps.

[RUSTON]

There is a right and wrong way up for that gasket, I have a picture somewhere showing the correct way and I will have a look shortly unless you already know of course!

Pete.
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Measure twice...cut once!

[colwyn500]

If you read down this article it states that the leak is a common problem...
http://www.rwscars.net/images/m8_photoshoot2/PCart.pdf

[RUSTON]

Right I have found the pic and it shows the gasket with one large hole at the top (in line with the distributor drive it appears) and two smaller holes either side of it. At the lower edge there are two other small holes, one about 2" either side of the centre line, which I assume are drain holes. It says that to avoid oil leaks the gasket must be fitted the correct way up!





Pete.
_________________
Measure twice...cut once!

[Stuart2u]

Hi. Yes there is a wrong and right way to fit the gasket, but stupidly I fitted the new one exactly as I had found the old one I found in place.....Ooops....wrong! Thanks Pete for the biggest clue of all....a picture. My manual does not show a picture with gasket in place, but it does say fit the gasket with the two holes at the bottom...just like your picture shows.

So thats what I have now done and will let you know how it works when I have run it a while. Meanwhile thanks very much guys and a lesson learned for me. DON'T TRUST ANYTHING YOU FIND ON THIS CAR!!!!!

Stuart
First pic as I found it and copied its replacement.

Second pic the gasket the right way round

[Rick]