OIL WEEPING FROM HEAD

[Glenacre]

CAN ANYONE HELP WITH THIS STRANGE PHENOMENON? I HAVE COMPLETELY REBUILT 1951 USHM3 TYPE ENGINE, HEAD AND BLOCK SKIMMED, NEW HEAD GASKET TORQUED TO 44 lbs,REALLY CAREFUL ASSEMBLY, CLEAN ETC. RE-TORQUED AFTER 1st HEAT CYCLE AND HAVE SMALL AMOUNTS OF OIL COMING FROM 2nd TO LAST HEAD STUD, DYNAMO SIDE AND SMALL WEEP FROM FRONT OF HEAD TO BLOCK. WHAT IS REALLY PUZZLING ME THERE IS NO OIL IN THIS PART OF THE ENGINE, ONLY COOLANT WHICH I AM NOT LOSING. WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE SOME INPUT, HAS ANYBODY ELSE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND IF SO HOW DID YOU SOLVE IT. SHOULD SAY CAR IS GOING EXCEEDINGLY WELL APART FROM THIS PROBLEM.

ALSO WHAT POUNDAGE RADIATOR CAP SHOULD BE FITTED TO THIS CAR, PRESENTLY IT HAS A 4lb CAP FITTED, I SEE THAT 7lb CAPS ARE AVAILABLE - WHICH IS RIGHT?

[TvdWerf]

Maybe no oil, but a small compression leak?
When I look at my USHM3 engine, there is not a lot of space between the studs and cilinder.

Did you replaced the studs?

[Glenacre]

DIDN'T REPLACE STUDS, STUDS IN GOOD ORDER AND DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEM TORQUING NUTS DOWN. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A COMPRESSION LEAK, FAR TOO OILY FOR THAT. I BELIEVE, ITS A MYSTERY

[TvdWerf]

This engine has also no big problem with the studs, but I will remove all of them, to make the block flat again.[frame][/frame]
As you can see, the most logic product is no oil, but a leak between the cylinder and the stud.

To test this, take an old spark plug, remove the inside, weld a pipe on it, and use this as connection to set air pressure on the cylinder.
with a bigger leak, it should be possible to see this with a leak test spray.

Note:
Your caps lock is hanging ;)

[mike.perry]

I have also had that problem, as you say there is no oil near there so it must be a slight gasket leak. Solution is to ignore it. If the engine is running well then you will possibly cause more problems than you cure. Look on the positive side, the stud is not going to rust, just wipe the oil off with a rag.
A 4lb pressure cap is correct, too much pressure can blow the header tank.

[Glenacre]

Thanks Mike, sounds like common sense, and I like the idea of my head bolts not going rusty! Has anybody got any ideas where I can get hold of an MM dipstick.

[katy]

RE-TORQUED AFTER 1st HEAT CYCLE

Have you re-torqued the head after that? If not, you should.

[Glenacre]

Yep, torqued the little critter down three times. Still bubbling!

[mike.perry]

Could you plese send me the chassis number and details of your car for the register
Michael

[Glenacre]

Thanks Mike

Details below, Reg No CSU 250, chassis no SMSM108658, engine no 110165, 1951 Convertible MM.

Regards
Alan, Surrey

[ian.mcdougall]

See this thread re the oily studs which has been talked about before ,still no definative answer though


http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... d&start=30

[smithskids]

The oil is probably coming from the distributor hole and tracking across the head gasket. As far as I know that is the only place it can come from and then working up the cylinder head studs. I have a 1935 morris 8 and a mm minor and they both leak a small amount. I suppose you could put a smear of gasket seal under the head washers.

[Glenacre]

Thanks Ian for sending me the thread, Didn't realise that it was such an ongoing problem.

Smithskids suggest oil coming from distributor hole and it seems to me to be the only possible place for oil to get through. I am adopting "ostrich technology" - has anybody got a bucket of sand?

Still look for an MM dipstick.

Alan

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Have you tried Bryan at Club Spares to see if he has any dipsticks? Probably your best bet, if not its a case of phoning round the dealers listed in Minor Matters.

[mike.perry]

Do you need the guide tube as well?

[Glenacre]

Not had a lot of luck with Bryan, no I don't need tube - just dipstick

[ian.mcdougall]

If someone could measure one would you be able to make/have made one

[smithskids]

Hi Glenacre, you could use a minor 1000 one and shorten it. I know the handle bit would stick up more than the MM one but it would do until you get a gen one.

[mike.perry]

The oil level marks would be at the wrong heights

[ian.mcdougall]

Could always but new marks on for now with measurements from original MM one.