Re: Question cleaning early oil pans

Unknown

I know this has been posted before but has anyone
found a good way to clean out the early oil pans?  I dropped the pan on my
newly aquired Essex 4 to try to figure out the cause of a significant oil leak
from the rear main.  The pan, after removing the oil screen had about 1/2"
of gooey viscous treakle.  I have tried solvents, hot water and detergent,
etc.  It is a wonder that I had any oil pressure showing as the screen was
pretty much solid.

 

When I rebuilt the motor on my 23 Hudson I fitted a
29 removable trough pan as the original was shot.  Easy to do but if you
try it there is inadequate clearance between the bigger con rod ends and the
little troughs which direct the oil to the next dipper trough.  Easily
fixed with a couple of taps with a hammer

 

The return passage from the rear main appears to be
clear, proper hole in the gasket, etc. so I am no wiser on that score.  I
can see no means of crankcase ventilation whatsoever except for a wee tube
sticking up from the timing chain cover ( which had a screw stuck in it). 
I may try leaving the tappet cover a bit loose to see if that solves or reduces
the problem.  The motor runs well and strongly so I do not want to go
digging into it.

 

Karl