35 Terraplane 6 cyl. oil pan cleanout

farmermike

In an earlier post I was dealing with an overheating issue on my 35 T. I had the radiator cleaned out (80% plugged) and replaced the water jacket. So far that seems to have fixed the problem. While cleaning out the block with a hose and then a pressure washer I got some water down into the oil pan. When I changed the oil it became obvious that there was water left in the windage tray that meant I would need to drop the oil pan to get it all out. That ended up being a smart thing to do. Obviously the previous owner had not changed the oil in some time. The photos show what was in the pan. Keep in mind that I had changed the oil twice trying to clean up whatever was in the pan and tray without dropping the pans. Now I see that that was never going to work. You just need to bite the bullet and drop the pan and tray. What a mess, there was almost 1/3 inch of sludge on the bottom of the pan and the tray was almost as bad.

Hopefully these photos help anyone else that has not dropped their pan and tray so they see what might be in there.

Mike

 

 

lostmind

No photos showing. Don't forget to fill the dipper tray before you put it back up.

dterry-2011

take care also not to plug the oil return hole

Jon B

And remember there is a neoprene O ring that fits into the underside of the block before you re-attach the pan.

farmermike

dterry-2011,

Interesting you should say that. I did in fact forget to cut out the oil return hole on the second gasket when I made it. I had oil coming out of the rear main seal. I took the pan off and unplugged the hole and it has quit leaking. Hopefully I did not ruin it. Man, what a stupid mistake.

Jon, where is the O ring? We looked for O-rings and seals and did not see any. Is there supposed to be one on the oil pickup tube or ????

Thanks, Mike

Jon B

It's been quite awhile since I've delved into one of these engines, but -- on your photo #0708 -- I believe the O-ring is located above the hole in the flange at the right side.  The hole that would line up with the angled oil return tube that runs up from the bottom of the pan. As I recall, the underside of the engine block is relieved in that area, for the O-ring clearance.  Take a look.

However, I'm wondering if it needs another O-ring at flange, at the top middle of the photo -- above THAT tube as well?  (Like I say, it's been awhile....)

Frankvintagefullflowcom

The "suction" pipe seal at the interface of pan/tray and block lower flange must be absolutely air tight or the pump will not be able to "draw" oil from the pan. Kinda like trying to start a siphon with a leak in the hose. The Duo-Flo pump produces a very low volume (about 22 oz/min /1000 rpm per end) and can't overcome any level of air leak at the intake.
As I read the books, there wasn't an O-ring at that point until 1939. The earlier versions relied on the gasket alone. Look at the block flange and see if there's a chamfer around the hole to make room for the o-ring. The 44734 gasket set serviced '34 to '38 and the 157875 set serviced '39 thru '47 with that number being superseded by the 165484. All are serviced by the latter number set but there many not be a chamfer for the o-ring on your block. I don't see that detail in the books.
Be especially careful not to let any crud drop through the tappet chamber floor drain holes as they are directly above the main bearing gravity feed troughs and debris will be washed downstream to the main bearing feed holes and can easily plug them leading to bearing failure.
Although these engines are touted as "simple" they are very susceptible to failure if you aren't careful.
Good luck.
F

Geoff

 You are correct Frank, there is no O-ring in the earlier engines. However I have never found it  a problem providing a good new gasket i used, and perhaps a smear of  good quality gasket  silicone around the  area.  The intake pipe stands up slightly and enters a recess in the crankcase, so there is little danger of sealing off the  opening, unlike the rear main bearing drain.  

35 Terraplane

Is there a way to clean the tappet chamber floor drain holes from below with the oil pan removed?
Tom

dterry-2011

I agree with Geoff, rear main bearing drain is only concern.

farmermike

Guys,

Has anyone ever plumbed in an oil filter on these engines?  Something like this one on ebay? I didn't know if it would mess up the volume or pressure from the pump. --- thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLATHEAD-FORD-OIL-FILTER-CANISTER-RAT-ROD-OLD-SKOOL/371087594256?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D23928%26meid%3D7917416489547714747%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D10200%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D360833797847&rt=nc

Frankvintagefullflowcom

There is a specific method for plumbing the bypass type filter into the "Splasher" oiling system. You should read the MPM on that topic. There is a more effective filtration set-up that you can employ. If you are interested, I can provide details.
The version shown is on a '47 212 so you can't mount the filter base in this location but it is certainly adaptable to those with the distributor on the side. it's just more plumbing.
Just a thought.
Frank