VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 OIL LEAK FRONT TIMING COVER

Is it possible to fit (Install) a Oil Seal to the front timing cover on a 1934 motor

Paul
I could be wrong as I am not familiar with the 34 engine but my understanding is that most of the oil control is done by a "slinger" forward of the timing gears but insde the cover and there is a cork ring as a dust preventive only. I would think the cork ring is replaceable but the timing cover may well have to be removed to do so. On full inspection you may find that a modern seal could be fitted in place of the cork.
Tony

There have been posts here in the past where a seal was fitted to a pre-1937 engine.
That being said if all items are correct and functioning properly the area will not leak.
If front main bearing is too loose it will cause a leak as will the oil rreturn holes if plugged-up.

Hi All.My 34 cover does not have a cork seal, it relies on the slinger to deflect the oil.I thought I had read iy once on the seal modification, how ever I can not locate a link which is not surprising as I have never had any luck with VCCA search link, all I ever get is the last current 200 chat comments. If anyone knows how I can "Search" for it I would love to hear from you.
Cheers Paul

The 1935 and 1936 cover had the cork seal. It was mainly used to keep out dust. It wold be easier to put a real seal in the 1935-36 cover but if a seal is used the area where the seal contacts the balancer may need to be polished. The 35 cover will fit on a 34 engine OK.

I can only tell you what works for me, regarding the search function.

In the "google search", I would type, as an example, "1934 Chevy front engine oil leak VCCA".

In doing this, google will locate items, within VCCA, which relate to 1934 Chevy front engine oil leak.

You may find this of interest.

https://www.fillingstation.com/articles/leaks.htm

Hi I started my Chevy engine up today after fitting the correct sump and checking out the front timing cover to establish the reason for the oil leaking from behind the front bottom pully. i checked that the drain hole was free and clean, that the front main bearing had no excess play or clearance and the the oil slinger was in place. well today the motor ran sweet and sounds great, however the oil leak is still there and is a leak that is large enough to puddle after a few minutes running, any more ideas welcome

You may have to resort to a sealant in combination with the gasket.

I will try to locate a 1936 timing cover if I can, as the leak is coming out behind the pully.Does anyone know the block number identification for a 36 motor.

The 1936 only has a cork ring to keep the dust out. The balancer was also different to make room for the cork and provide a smoother surface.

Thanks. I read on VCCA site once that it is possible to fit a seal to a 36 cover, but maybe you cant. I think it would be a great improvement to the 34 engine I am off to a swap-meet in NZ tomorrow an will ask some Chevrolet enthusiasts over here if they have seen or heard of such a modification
Cheers Paul.

There was a post by Lipinski with a seal part# he found at NAPA. I was going to try it but haven't yet. If you search his posts you will find it

Paul, did ypu find the cause for your oil leak? U have the same on my 34 master, drain hole is free and oil slingeet in place but it is pissing out oil when running from the hole for the front pulley.

Your main bearing cap has a deep grove in it that catches the oil and returns it through a hole in the cap to the oil pan. Check that grove to see if there is "gook" in it. Or check the check ball to be sure it does not "stick" part way in it's travel. Use B-12 Chem-tool Aerosol Carburetor Cleaner to unplug. Or main bearing shims worn out of .001" to ,003" if past that....rebuild.

The check ball is in the rear of the engine? Will worn out bearings cause it to piss out from the hole for the pulley?

Yes I have fixed my oil leak, after I had the front cover of several times doing and checking all the suggestion that member made including rebuilding and regrinding the Cam shaft. No matter what I did the leak stayed the same.
My solution was to find a 36 front cover purchase a lip seal and fit it to e 36 cover I also fitted a seal wear sleeve to the front pully The result is I no longer have any engine oil leaks.

Paul

The 1936 cover does not have a lip seal. It has a cork ring to keep the dust out. If a 1936 cover is use you aso need a 1936 balance with a seal riding surface.

Main bearing shims worn out... must have .001" to .003" if past that....rebuild.

Do you know what lip seal you used?

I had same problem changed cover to a 1935 timing cover and replaced cork seal with a modern lip seal per “Lipinski”
Made by SKF part # 14720 sold at NAPA Auto parts. Haven’t had a leak since. I also used the Harmonic Balancer out of the 1935 207 because the rear shaft is polished to compliment the lip seal