VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Engine oil leak, how much is acceptable?

Hi, I have got my 28 running decent, and driving it around on my 4 acres several times. Every time I take it for a spin, and then park it again, it leaves about a 6" diameter spot of oil on the floor, below the front of the engine. I know the engine does not have modern seals, but there must be something that is supposed to keep most of the oil inside, rather than leaking out. The rear does not seem to leak, although there is some wet oil around the rear main bearing.

Is there something that causes them to leak excessively? I have not found any pictures or illustrations of what is supposed to help keep the oil contained. If I were to pull off the oil pan, is there a part I could replace, or inspect, that might help reduce the oil leak?

or should I be worrying about the rear main being dry?

My 27 leaks too.. I think mines more from the lines though

Leaking from the front is most often caused by too much oil to drain back into the pan. Can be from too large a gap between main bearing and crankshaft or plugged passage. May have to take off the timing gear cover to check things out.

Thanks.

I'm still curious, how the engine is sealed. Is there just a drain passage that can overflow? I'd sure like to see a few pictures, or a cross section drawing, before I take it apart.

I may pull the car apart to clean and paint stuff, if so I'd probably pull the pan, and maybe the front cover, at that time.