Bugeye oil leak

[Rut]

Guys,
The welding on my Bugeye is nearly complete and I finally turned my attention to the engine and transmission. The 1275 has always been a leaker when running with some success using a variety of crankcase venting. I finally separated the engine and transmission (smooth case) and the inside of the bell housing had no oil stains! I always assumed the scroll seal was the culprit, but the leak has got to be elsewhere. I'll pull the clutch, flywheel, and rear plate and hopefully find the answer...any suggestions?
Rut

 

[tomshobby]

Hi Rut,
Mine had 2 leaks, both from fittings on the engine. The rear line to the oil cooler and the fitting for the oil pressure gauge line. Both needed to be tightened. I think it is also having some get past the rings but with only 700 miles on the engine that will probably lessen over time. For now the car is in storage until spring.
Tom

 

[Billm]

Rut
You may just have a loose oil pump that is leaking- can only tell when you pull the backing plate off to look
BillM

 

[jlaird]

As the local expert ( Niceville FL folks ) if I may have the floor. Oil leaking from the scroll seal actually does not get into the bell housing, it leaks out from between the oil pan and the rear engine plate. In any case that is my story and I am sticking to it.

 

[Gerard]

As the local expert ( Niceville FL folks ) if I may have the floor. Oil leaking from the scroll seal actually does not get into the bell housing, it leaks out from between the oil pan and the rear engine plate. In any case that is my story and I am sticking to it.

That's absolutely correct.

 

[nomad]

You can also have dried out and shrunken pan gasket's that will leak from the same area. At least that was my experience on a 10CC engine.

Kurt.

 

[nomad]

Curious that if the oil from the scroll seal doesn't get into the bell housing why did the early sprite's have so much trouble with clutch slip while racing. I assumed it was caused by an oiled clutch. Anybody know??

Kurt

 

[Gerard]

Curious that if the oil from the scroll seal doesn't get into the bell housing why did the early sprite's have so much trouble with clutch slip while racing. I assumed it was caused by an oiled clutch. Anybody know??

Kurt

The gearbox also uses a scroll seal in the front cover. They don't work that well, and I would guess thrashing a car around would slosh the oil around quite a bit, especially under hard braking. There no vacuum assist to help either.

 

[nomad]

The gearbox also uses a scroll seal in the front cover. They don't work that well, and I would guess thrashing a car around would slosh the oil around quite a bit, especially under hard braking. There no vacuum assist to help either.

Good point Gerard. The extension on the gear box would get oil to the clutch plate better than anything else!

Kurt.