Cause for front seal leak

[Pawhuska]

My 51’ B3B developed a front seal leak. Upon removing the timing chain cover I realized that the timing chain had quite a bit of slack.  My question is; if a loose timing chain could have caused the front seal to leak. 
 

I also need some advice as to where I might find an American made timing chain and gear set that will fit the 218 motor. 

[Ivan_B]

Loose chain should not affect the shaft/seal operation, only timing... For parts - check NOS on eBay

[Dartgame]

Look up SA gear, part number 73111. American made - double tooth unit. Parts stores can order it with the correct part number from SA.

[keithb7]

Front seal leak might be attributed to a groove worn in the crank sealing surface. A speedi-sleeve install can often fix it. 
 

An oil pan gasket that was trimmed too short could cause an oil leak at the front of the oil pan. 
 

Loose oil pan mounting bolts could allow for a leak. 
 

Rarely the case in these old engines, synthetic oil will leak out or almost everywhere. Don’t use it in these old engines. 
 

A warped front timing chain cover can cause an oil leak. Over the past 80 year some people have really pounded in a new front seal. A proper press is better. It does not cause deflection in the front cover. 

[Sam Buchanan]

Crankshaft damper with Speedi-Sleeve I installed to repair a groove worn by the old seal(s).....standard seal is used with the sleeve.

 

[Sniper]

1 hour ago, Dartgame said:

Look up SA gear, part number 73111. American made - double tooth unit. Parts stores can order it with the correct part number from SA.

 

Interesting, I DDG'd that number, Autozone says they have it in stock.  However, they say it only fits a 50 and 51 Windsor with a 251.

 

So I dug out the factory parts book and it tells me that all 6 cylinders from 36-54 use the same cam and crank sprocket and timing chain.  OE part numbers are 601 760, 601 757 and 1075001.

 

I then got to SA Gear website, downloaded the catalog and presto that SA 73111 comes up crossing to the OE numbers I found.

 

Thanks Dartgame.

 

 

[Sniper]

I need to add, Rockauto has them in stock, do a part number search.

[kencombs]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145724221517   No gears but new chain.

[Pawhuska]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I’m sure glad to have people with far more knowledge than I. I’d also like to thank Tim for his patience. P.

[DJK]

It should be mentioned to purchase or fabricate a tool to center the timing cover on the crank for proper sealing.

[Plymouthy Adams]

1 hour ago, DJK said:

It should be mentioned to purchase or fabricate a tool to center the timing cover on the crank for proper sealing.

the tool is a main feature of the engine, it is the crank shaft and pulley hub...you leave the bolts on the timing cover loose till the hub is installed on the crank thus aligning the timing cover and seal centric...then you snug up the bolts.  

[DJK]

On 6/12/2024 at 9:34 AM, Plymouthy Adams said:

the tool is a main feature of the engine, it is the crank shaft and pulley hub...you leave the bolts on the timing cover loose till the hub is installed on the crank thus aligning the timing cover and seal centric...then you snug up the bolts.  

PA, the problem with that is on the ones I have done, it is a tight fit, it was easier to fabricate a tool to center the cover.

[Plymouthy Adams]

sounds like some unnecessary steps assembling the engine....once the cover and hub is installed there should be no real reason to have to remove it again...but if you do, I could concede that point.  

[Dartgame]

SA is on the SW side of Chicago near Midway airport, about 20-25 minutes away from me. I visited them in person, met the owner and got a tour. Very nice people, owner is a super guy, truly a delightful experience. Pretty much a soup to nuts shop.

[Sniper]

8 hours ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

sounds like some unnecessary steps assembling the engine....once the cover and hub is installed there should be no real reason to have to remove it again...but if you do, I could concede that point.  

I think someone is used to rebuilding engines where the harmonic balancer blocks some of the timing cover bolts so you have to pull it to finish tightening those bolts. In the case of our Flathead that's not really applicable

[48ply1stcar]

I am so glad you gat an answer. I've owned my 48 since 68. A couple of years ago I was told be the tow truck driver I had a leak. My answer was always, "they're suppose to, how else could I make room for new oil"

[Sniper]

On 6/14/2024 at 4:38 PM, Dartgame said:

SA is on the SW side of Chicago near Midway airport, about 20-25 minutes away from me. I visited them in person, met the owner and got a tour. Very nice people, owner is a super guy, truly a delightful experience. Pretty much a soup to nuts shop.

 

Hey, if you know that guy, mention to him that both Autozone and RockAuto have incomplete listings for this part.  I would hate to see it go out of production due to low demand caused by this.

[DJK]

On 6/14/2024 at 7:31 PM, Sniper said:

I think someone is used to rebuilding engines where the harmonic balancer blocks some of the timing cover bolts so you have to pull it to finish tightening those bolts. In the case of our Flathead that's not really applicable

On mine the pully is one piece, no separate hub.

[Sniper]

On 6/20/2024 at 6:21 AM, DJK said:

On mine the pully is one piece, no separate hub.

You would be unique

 

I have to retract that statement.  Seems there is a one piece hub and pulley setup. trucks used it, at least.  So entirely possible.  See?  Even an old dog can learn a new thing,

Edited June 26 by Sniper

[Dartgame]

Sniper - that was the reason I contacted them directly and went to their factory. They know. Before they allowed me to visit, they told me to use the 73111 part number to order it from AZ etc. I believe they are the only producer of the part.