2.8 front seal leakage

[Angie]

here's the deal. 2.8 100% rebuilt 70's car block (it is my 78 Pinto). Runs great except for a carb setup issue with high idle.

Prob is that the front seal leaks when the engine is running on low idle, roughly 7-800 rpm. above that no issues with leakage. do these seals get old and dry out even if never installed before? I am going to take the harmonic back off today and pull the seal out again and replace it to see if this corrects the prob.

If it does GREAT, if not what can cause this to happen? head scratcher on why low RPM leaks. is there a newer style seal that I should be asking for>?

cheers thanks

here is a build thread for the car if anyone wants more info.

http://www.fordpinto.com/your-project/project-'78starsky'/

 

[adsm08]

If the seal is old enough it could have dried out sitting on a shelf for years or decades.

It could also be that the crank is worn where the seal rides.

 

[Angie]

If the seal is old enough it could have dried out sitting on a shelf for years or decades.

It could also be that the crank is worn where the seal rides.

Can you clear up what you mean by where crank could be worn? the seal is placed into the timing cover, then the outside shaft of the harmonic balancer goes into that. The whole unit is tightened up with the main crank bolt.

thanks

 

[adsm08]

Ok, in this case probably the balancer. The area where the seal rides will wear out over time causing a groove. This area will not seal and needs a speedy sleeve.

 

[Angie]

Ahh ok i get what you mean now. thanks.

I also have another 2.8 sitting here, i could also pull the harmonic off that one to see if that fixes the leaks.
thanks

 

[adsm08]

Well if you pull the balancer off this one you should be able to see it well enough.

 

[Angie]

thanks for the help on this. took the balancer off and as you said i checked and a groove had been worn into the shaft. on order for tomorrow is a new sleeve and a new seal.

cheers. will update if this is a fix.

 

[Angie]

replaced the harmonic with a speedi and new seal.... bang on after 20 minutes running not a drop of oil dripped out. thanks!!!!

cheers

 

[adsm08]

Cool. Glad you get it fixed.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[Brownie Mobile]

Concerning your high idle problem, is your timing right? is your choke opening? is your mixture correct? Is your ICM adjusted properly? Do you have a vacuum leak?

 

[Angie]

Concerning your high idle problem, is your timing right? is your choke opening? is your mixture correct? Is your ICM adjusted properly? Do you have a vacuum leak?

hi, The timing is pretty close. The carb that is on the car just needs the air fuel mixtures set up properly. (this is the guess i have). The choke also needs to be set up and dialed in. no idea what a ICM is, and no vacuum leaks that i can find.

at the moment the carb set up isn't a main concern. I need to just get angie under the hood and she can do her magic on the carb. having it up and running is more important for now. It is being parked till the spring time then it will be ready for the summer driving .

thanks for the concern with the idle. I was more concerned about the leaking seal.

cheers

 

[wildbill23c]

The front seals will eventually fail and cause a continuous leak when the vehicle is running regardless at what speed. Once the RPM goes up or you start moving or both, the movement combined with the radiator fan is going to blow that oil all over under your vehicle, it may not be visibly leaking on the ground in front, but its just lubricating the whole underside of your truck as you drive.

I'm having the oil pan gasket set replaced in my 84 Bronco 2 because of this.