Richl705 Richard Lilly Fairfax, Virginia (42 posts) Registered: 12/03/2007 10:48PM Main British Car: 1958 MGA Buick 215 V8 |
Leaking Oil Pump
Havent been able to work on my 58 MGA for a few years but back now. I still have a couple problems to sort before I can get it on the road. The oil pump is leaking a considerable amount. After idling for a few minutes I have a 4" diameter puddle on the floor. I have determined the leak is from the two bolt holes shown in the pictures. The first picture is from some time back when I did the "How it was done" for perspective. The second is a close up showing the two offending bolt holes filled with oil. It appears the bolts come from inside the pump housing. I am going to remove the remote attachments and pull those bolts. I am wondering if I should see bolts with shoulders at that position or something other that would be expected to seal the bolt hole? Appreciate any insight as I pull the system. The engine is a 1961 Buick 215. I changed pump and i think it is a metric type (but not certain as I cannot find the receipts for these two purchases.) I also added a remote oil filter system and a small oil cooler. Will follow up when I have the bolts pulled. Thanks
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Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4576 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
Hey Richard. Welcome back!
That's definitely a "metric" pump. I don't recall the bolts for the oil pump being stepped or otherwise special... except I think I recall them having socket (Allen) heads. Right? Since the mounting holes on your original V8 front cover were apparently drilled-through and tapped (from the factory), leaks can happen. Putting sealant on bolt threads seems like a bandaid solution to me. Might work. Swapping to a later generation front cover seems like a better idea. The Buick V6 version of the front cover had blind holes in those locations. If you're willing to stomach the cost and inconvenience of changing front covers, there are other big advantages, such as losing the rope seal at the crank pulley (in favor of a silicone seal). I expect you can probably still buy V6 covers brand new. I posted a link on this forum several years ago. One downside is the timing marks on your front cover won't be aligned. (If you use a dial-back timing light, this isn't a big deal.) Here's what the V6 front cover looks like at the oil pump interface, installed: Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2022 03:48PM by Moderator. |
Richl705 Richard Lilly Fairfax, Virginia (42 posts) Registered: 12/03/2007 10:48PM Main British Car: 1958 MGA Buick 215 V8 |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
Curtis,
Thanks much. Glad to be working on the car again. I had seen that picture before and just couldnt find anyone with a hole drilled all the way through. I managed to get one bolt out a bit ago and it was a standard bolt (with a standard head). The other bolt is really in there so still working on that. I will go with a thread sealant for now while working toward a new cover as you recommend. On an aside, I tried to make a donation but the link is broken (or I did something wrong.) |
Richl705 Richard Lilly Fairfax, Virginia (42 posts) Registered: 12/03/2007 10:48PM Main British Car: 1958 MGA Buick 215 V8 |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
Thanks for the info. The thread sealant is holding at idle/220 degrees. Will go with that for a while. Carl, will check into running a modern front seal but of course that won’t fix the bolt hole having been drilled completely through by the factory. Now on to the clutch.
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minorv8 Jukka Harkola (268 posts) Registered: 04/08/2009 06:50AM Main British Car: Morris Minor Rover V8 |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
I find the oil leak thru the bolt holes rather odd. Be it blind or thru holes they are drilled into the casting and do not have any connection to the actual pump gear housing. The only possibility for oil to leak to bolt holes is a crack thru the casting. Are you absolutely sure that the oil is not leaking from above and drain above the pump housing ?
I have run the a similar housing (Range Rover from mid 70´s with thru bolts) and have not had leaks there. I have had leaks just about eveywhere else :-)... Pic of my housing, note that it has taller gears and spacer plate. I think Kenne Bell in USA used to sell these. Mine was sourced from UK. BTW, this is my spare 4.6 engine and the front cover is not bolted to the block, hence the missing bolt above the oil pump. |
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
Some versions of the pump cover have 1 or 2 bolts that have their heads located inside the filter opening. I do not recall whether or not those are thru-holes but if they are they could leak. Also I have found that failure to use a sealant on the shims when setting the pump gear end play can result in seepage. This entire area in general is a bit prone to seepage and needs careful assembly to prevent it.
Jim |
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Richl705 Richard Lilly Fairfax, Virginia (42 posts) Registered: 12/03/2007 10:48PM Main British Car: 1958 MGA Buick 215 V8 |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
As Jim noted, both of these bolts originate inside the pump housing. They do not pass through the gasket and only have a lock washer. I should have used the thread sealant originally, given it is working to hold back the oil.
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Leaking Oil Pump
Actually they do go through holes in the gasket. I still havem't looked to see if they aee the blind holes or not, but it really depends on the pieces used. A gasket sealer of some kind in a good idea (spray tack for instance) and a thread sealer may be needed.
Jim |