North American Turbocoupe Organization



Oil leak(s) at front of engine
Liquid_force Offline
Senior Member
#1
Planning to replace the timing belt soon, and while I'm there...
The entire front side of the engine is wet with oil. I figure it starts with the valve cover gasket. I'm on my 2nd blue rubber FelPro gasket which, needless to say, I haven't been pleased with -- I'm going to replace that w/something else.

Otherwise I really don't know what items are relatively easily replacable. I was hoping I could get the cam seal done w/o a lot of hassle.
Can the aux shaft seal be replaced? And what about the crank seal? Is that replacable w/o a huge amt of work?
88 TC -- Dark Blue 283k
RIP - 9/22/07
She was a great TC and went down swinging Smile
Now -- Me: A minivan, I'll spare you the details.
Her: '09 VW Tiguan AWD 2.0T 101k
Reply

Matt S Offline
Posting Freak
#2
The bolt that holds on the cam sproket could be leaking. Is there oil on the hood liner?
Sold it Sad*
Reply

Lightning Fast Fords Offline
Member
#3
My 88 TC has the same problems....and I'm confident that it's the seals for the Cam and Aux Shaft.

I'm going to address the Cam Sprocket Bolt too...I just have a gut feeling that the bolt was not treated with silicone sealant along the way.

Another issue I found on the lower end was the oil level sending unit. I've got a replacement unit from Ford...and the gasket...but I'll be damned if I see how the wiring harness disconnects and re-connects to the new unit. The previous owner globbed RTV around it...but it's clearly not taking care of business.

Keep us posted...and if anyone has ever changed out that oil level sensor on the side of the oil pan...I'd love to hear from you.
1988 Crown Vic Interceptor (351W Modified)

1994 F-150 Lightning

2000 Crown Vic LX (Handling and Performance Package)

1988 Turbo Coupe Thunderbird 5-Speed (Cloth Interior)

1968 Torino GT Fastback 351W / C4
Reply

Joe F Offline
Posting Freak
#4
Get the Ford black rubber gasket, works so far for me, no leaks. Just be careful not to overtighten it.

It appears that the Ford gasket is obsolete as a Thunderbird item. It is however available as a Ranger item, PN F57Z-6584-A.

Thanks to Pete D. and Chuck W.

I searched in the part number forum for "valve cover". Big Grin
JR's Place - My '87 Turbocoupe
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#5
The cam, aux shaft and front cam seal all use the same seal. All can be replaced. The amount of work involved is a personal assessment issue Big Grin
Pete Dunham


Reply

Matt S Offline
Posting Freak
#6
Joe, are you referring to the one that is rigid? That one we put on my car has been way more reliable than a straight rubber one with load limiters. Does anyone still have that picture?
Sold it Sad*
Reply

Liquid_force Offline
Senior Member
#7
Quote:Originally posted by Pete D:
The cam, aux shaft and front cam seal all use the same seal
Cam & front cam??


Quote:Originally posted by Pete D:

The amount of work involved is a personal assessment issue Big Grin
I've done the rear main, which was a PAIN to get out - easy to install.
Similar at all? Pulleys have to come off I assume? Any big hassle w/that?

(probably a good time to dust of the 'ol haynes manual) Smile
88 TC -- Dark Blue 283k
RIP - 9/22/07
She was a great TC and went down swinging Smile
Now -- Me: A minivan, I'll spare you the details.
Her: '09 VW Tiguan AWD 2.0T 101k
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#8
Liquid, sorry, I meant front crank seal. Usually the pulleys are not a big deal every once in awhile the crank accessory belt pully gets corroded to the crank. Heat and gentile tapping usually get it loose.
Pete Dunham


Reply

ipsd Offline
Member
#9
The hardest part to replacing the crank seal that I know of is getting is centered so it doesn't leak. I've read about an alignment tool. As for taking of the drive belt pully I always use to big screwdrivers to wiggle it off there. Also I don't have leaks with my cork V/c gasket. I used blue locktite on the bolts andwas very carefull when installing it so everyting keeps lined up. I do have a spare head and V/c That I like to let the gasket sit on over night in place on the spare to get it to hold the basic shape before the install. But I have heard many good things about the ranger V/C gasket.
84 T/c, 88 intake,I/C, injectors, hood, PC1 ecu, E6 manifold, Brown Tops, K$N open element, BPV. Way pay to run 8 cylinders when 4 plus a turbo will get you there quicker.
Reply

Joe F Offline
Posting Freak
#10
Matt,

IIRC the one I got had stiffeners of some kind in most of the straight section but was floppy at the ends. It also had the metal "grommets" at each of the mounting holes. So far zero leaks.

HTH
JR's Place - My '87 Turbocoupe
Reply





Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)



Theme © iAndrew 2018 - Software MyBB