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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I have an oil leak which seems to be coming from the bottom of the distributor. Is there supposed to be a sealing gasket of some kind?
Just got the car (‘51 Styleline) with a 216.5 cu. in. engine about a month ago.
I see a distributor mounting gasket listed online. Could it be that simple?
Last edited by JohnS; 08/29/23 02:41 PM.
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ChatMaster - 15,000
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ChatMaster - 15,000
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Oil being forced out past the distributor can be due to pressure building up in the oil pan. Check the oil pan ventilation for blockage.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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1 member likes this:
JohnS |
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I hate to be a total noob on these stovebolt engines but is that the largish tube coming out on the passenger side of the block?
If so, how would I go about removing it?
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I’ve looked on the Stovebolt forum and it states they can be worked out of the block. Should I also have a vented oil filler cap? I don’t at the present time. Trying to fix previous owner issues.
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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Tap the top of the tube back and forth with a rubber hammer to losen it up.
There is no gasket or seal for the distibutor as if fitts loose in the block as the vac.. advance rotates the dist. Your breather tbbe is probably plugged up and preaare is building up inthe crankcase.......the cap on the breather is solid.
Last edited by Chev Nut; 08/29/23 05:26 PM.
Gene Schneider
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That tube is called a road draft tube. As you drive the air rushing by the opening at the bottom creates a vacuum. The slits in the top of the valve cover allow air to enter to replace the air being drawn out of the draft tube. It's the early method of crankcase ventilation.
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Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
1938 HB Business Coupe
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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THANK YOU!!!
I’ll get (gently) whomping on that can so I can clean it out.
I’m resurrecting a car which has been sitting for decades.
Lord knows what’s up there.
Really, thanks gentlemen.
Last edited by JohnS; 08/29/23 05:38 PM.
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Clement |
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I got the road draft tube out…finally.
It seemed clear when air was blown through it.
I flushed the whole thing out with “solvent”.
Again, not showing much clogging; just some oil residue.
What else could be causing the oil to blow up from the base of the distributor?
Would putting a vented oil filler cap on the valve cover help?
Last edited by JohnS; 08/30/23 05:07 PM.
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worn or stuck compression rings.....does a lot of oil fumes come out f the road draft tube AND VENTS On TOP OF THE VALVE COVER when the engine is running?
Remove the spark plugs and put about two OUNCES of a solvent like Marvel Mystery OIL IN EACH CYLINDER AND DO NOT START THE ENGINE FOR A DAY OR TWO.
You also could pull the distributor and see if the oil return flat spot on the lower of the distributor housing is pluged up.
Last edited by Chev Nut; 08/30/23 05:10 PM.
Gene Schneider
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The vent tube and valve cover vents do not have any smoke or fumes coming out of them.
I will look into the distributor also.
I am trying to learn on these Stovebolts.
I greatly appreciate the help.
Last edited by JohnS; 08/30/23 05:17 PM.
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On two of my cars I had the pivot pin for the fuel pump arm work out and leak oil and blow oil on the lower side of the block
Gene Schneider
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I checked around the fuel pump and all looks well.
I was flushing out the draft tube one more time and found
a one-inch crack near where the down draft tube connects to the stand pipe main body. Might that hamper the operation of the draft tube to a point where it wouldn’t work?
I plan on sealing that up and continuing the search for the cause of the leak.
Last edited by JohnS; 08/30/23 10:59 PM.
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