1946-1949 Oil leak on 1949 Series 61

[kidclerk]

I have a 1949 Series 61 survivor that I purchased this summer and am really close to wrapping up a few things that needed done to it to get it "perfect" for my OCD.  I'm not happy unless I minimize or eliminate oil leaks and I am close.  The pan gasket and valve cover gaskets were leaking as was the drain plug and those are done. It looks as if the only oil leak left is coming from between the pan and the flywheel housing.  When I look up between the two I see a small gap between the two.  Is this normal?  If so, then what is left for me to replace to eliminate the oil that's dripping from this area?

Thanks!

[Jay Friedman]

It sounds like you have a leak in the rear main bearing oil seal.  You may have an original "rope" seal, which as they age are prone to leaking.  Best to replace it with a modern neoprene rubber seal.  To do this you have to remove the crossover pipe, oil pan, baffle, oil pump and rear main bearing cap.  Art Gardner wrote an illustrated article describing how to do it with the motor in the car and where to buy a seal.  Email me at jaysfriedman(at)yahoo.com and I'll reply with a copy of the article.