Jeff,
I am not yet familiar with the seal on the TR-3 but what you described is
typical of a labriyth seal commonly used on industrial equipment,
although I have seen them more on stationary equipment rather than on
automobiles. They do work, although I am anzious to see your responses.
Jack Brooks
Hillsdale, New Jersey
'74 Norton Commando Roadster
looking hard for a TR-3
On Mon, 30 Sep 1996 15:40:36 -0400 Jeff Williamson <jaws@mich.com>
writes:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm new to the list, but have enjoyed reading your comments and
>pondering your questions over the past couple of weeks.
>
>I just finished a complete frame-off restoration on a 1958 TR3A which
>I
>have owned for may years. It has ALWAYS leaked oil, but I always
>assumed
>it was leaking around the oil pan, and since the car was seldom driven
>far at any one time, no big deal.
>
>After the restoration, which included a complete engine overhaul, I
>still noticed a leak after short drives around the neighborhood, but
>after a 3-hour trip, the leak turned into a pour (a quart every 40
>miles). The leaking oil also found it's way onto the clutch which
>caused
>clutch slippage. This oil also found it's way into the overdrive
>solenoid somehow, and caused it to malfunction. All this made for a
>fun
>trip with the top down !!!
>
>Because I had replaced the oil pan gasket and the sealing felt around
>the rear main bearing block, the problem must surely lie with the rear
>oil seal. It was one of the few parts which I did not replace during
>the
>rebuild (stupid me). The old seal did not appear to be damaged in any
>way, but I'm not sure what I should have looked for. I have since
>ordered and received a new seal, which I am preparing to install this
>weekend. The problem may become apparent when I am able to compare the
>old and new seals.
>
>The rear seal comes in two halves, an upper and a lower, which bolt to
>the rear end of the engine. Both halves are of metal construction and
>have grooves or ridges which match with identical groves or ridges on
>the crankshaft. I noticed that neither the old or new seals have any
>type of sealing rubber.
>
>My real question is this --- Is there supposed to be some type of
>sealing rubber on this seal? or is the oil supposed to be contained by
>the grooves? If there is supposed to be some sort of rubber seal, what
>is it and where can I find it?
>
>Any advice on this subject would help. Thanks
>
>Jeff Williamson
>Belleville, MI
>1958 TR3A (Almost back on the road again !!!)
>
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