Classic/Antique Car Repair/mg td oil leak

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/22/2008


Question
Hello, My wifes 1952 MG TD is in great shape other than a major engine oil leak.  Great oil pressure and smooth running engine.  Clean oil drips mainly from where the starter motor shaft passes through the housing of the ring gear.  It is not dripping at the cotter key hole at the bottom but that could be plugged with dust and oil inside.  Are there options for oil leaking other than the rear main bearing seal?  Can I remove the gearbox and flywheel without pulling the engine on this model?  
  Hoping for an answer that doesn't involve the word "crankshaft",  Mark

Answer
How about the word camshaft, or rocker box cover. The plug at the end of the cam shaft could be leaking and the oil could be coming down the back of the engine from the valve cover or as the English call it the rocker box cover. The engine and transmission need to come out as a unit.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.