Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks
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Hello,
We just moved and I have not accessed these forums is several months.
I have completed the restoration of my 1936 Standard Cabriolet. It is all together, but I have discovered that I have a severe oil leak, mostly from the rear main but also from around the front seal behind the harmonic balancer.
When the car idles for several minutes (up to an hour) the leaking oil is minimal, however, when I drive the car, it appears to leak much faster. I lost 1/2 quart when driving it at 45mph for 40 miles.
I replaced the cork seal with a neoprene seal, but I understand that this seal is mostly a dust cover.
The fellow who rebuilt my motor is no longer available. I replaced the original oil pump with a two gear pump which gives the car more oil pressure. I am using synthetic 10-30 oil. Evidently the rebuilder put home made brass shims in the main bearings which were open at one end, allowing oil to leak through the front bearing cap. I fixed that, but the rear main is leaking. Could it be that the synthetic oil is too thin, and not kicking back into the crank case via the oil slinger? Could the real main have too much clearance between the journal and the bearing insert? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Steve
The things you reference are all quite possible. Is there a slinger? You should check the bearing clearances to make sure they are correct. Your oil loss is not good. I think Chevrolet recommended 20 weight oil so I don't think the oil you are using is too thin but You could drain it for use in somthing else and try a straight weight organic oil, maybe 30 wt.
You could have to much bearing clearance and the oil is overwhelming the slinger system. The check ball maybe stuck closed causing the leak. I would not think the type of oil would make any real difference, 10w-30 seems to be a popular choice. Lots of posts and suggestions on this issue on the old forum which is searchable.
Good luck
Dave
Thanks guys. I guess my next step is to remove the oil pan and check the bearing clearance.
Steve
Lots of info on the old site Post#372660 7/26/16 I did a google search using 1936 chevy rear bearing oil leak VCCA chev nut
7472 old site post
Thanks for the information Steve. I did a google search copying and pasting your thread, but did not find the discussion. I also went to the "old forums" with the same search and nothing went back as far as 2016. What am I doing wrong?!
Steve
7046 old site posts
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1938 Master Business Coupe-Sold, now living in New Jersey
1953 210 Sedan
7472 old site post
There also was a post in the old forum regarding adding a groove in the rear main bearing to allow more oil to drain to the pan. Basically the groove was added from the oil drain hole in the bearing forward . If I find it I will add a link. Found it. https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/422075/re-1932-rear-main-leak.html
7472 old site post
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