Sad ending to a fun day

[DJK]

Drove up to Hamilton,NY with a couple of buddies of mine to check out the AACA Special Spring Nationals, 90 mile trip from home. After checking out the vehicles we decided to head back down to Norwich for lunch and a visit to the Classic Car Museum. A few miles down the road I heard a noise that I thought was a helicopter or I was driving on rumble strips, looked at the oil gauge = 0 !!!!!!! Pulled over in a farmers driveway to check out the Plymouth, massive oil leak at rear of engine. Farmer gave us 5 qts. of oil, which I knew wouldn't last long, but we were in the middle of nowhere. Back on the road clattering under slight load, coasting whenever possible, coasted into a Mirabido gas station with a Subway restaurant, cell service, we were golden!!! 4 of us crammed into a rollback cab, $450 bill, back home by 7 PM. Fortunately I just got my other engine back from the machine shop, that was going to be my winter project, so much for that idea. Will be curious to see what happened to this engine after more than 7k miles on rebuild. My 83 yo friend that was with me is the guy that assisted in installing the rope rear main 2 yrs. ago due to the fact he used to do them back in the day. Love vintage cars and the adventures they provide.

[Merle Coggins]

Maybe your oil pressure gauge line sprung a leak and it wasn't the engine's fault at all. 

[FarmerJon]

That is unfortunate. As tough as these old engines are, they got to have oil.

Let us know when you find the root of the problem.

[DJK]

48 minutes ago, Merle Coggins said:

Maybe your oil pressure gauge line sprung a leak and it wasn't the engine's fault at all. 

It definitely not an oil line, the flywheel cover was dripping with oil, everything else looks fine.

[DJK]

3 minutes ago, FarmerJon said:

That is unfortunate. As tough as these old engines are, they got to have oil.

Let us know when you find the root of the problem.

It will be awhile, lot going on right now.

[Marcel Backs]

I know the  feeling  when things go awry! I hope that any problem you encounter is minimal and easily repaired. Please keep us posted. M

[DJK]

4 hours ago, Marcel Backs said:

I know the  feeling  when things go awry! I hope that any problem you encounter is minimal and easily repaired. Please keep us posted. M

The bottom end is surely hurting, I am putting together my 53 engine that was going to be my winter project.

[DJK]

Not having any experience with rope seals, I can't say why it failed, it looks fine, although it seems very hard, no give to it at all.  Two rod bearings spun, although crank still looks good with some cleaning up, pistons OK, will get it tore down completely soon, may have some parts for sale. The 53 engine is in now, went for a short shake down run, runs great, has the 52 dist. and carb on it, slight piston noise when cold, goes away warmed up. Other than the Moparpro heater shut-off valve leaking, all seems good so far.

[DJK]

Update: went to a car show yesterday, 108 mile round trip, ran good, oil pressure @ 45# at speed, drops lower at idle, parked in driveway upon returning home, went out later to put in garage, oil drips under vehicle!!!!!! Appears to be coming from the Purolator oil filter assembly that I removed from a vehicle in a pick a part yard. Will remove flywheel inspection cover to verify rear main is OK, breakfast first.

[Curt Lee]

Would I be remiss in asking that you edit the title of this thread?  Something cryptic in seeing such a phrase relating to a cherished car... 

[DJK]

Pulled the flywheel inspection cover this morning, all is well with the rear main seal. Cleaned up and painted my other by-pass filter assembly and installed it.  

[DJK]

Update: changed out the break in oil after 500 miles, now have another 600 miles using Penn Grade 1, 10w-40 oil, oil level has not dropped at all, just the annoying, I believe now, to be wrist pin noise.