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Austin Healey BN2 oil leak at base of distributor

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Martinld123

Martinld123

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On my 1956 Austin Healey BN2 there is not a rubber "O" ring at base of my distributor just metal on metal. Some distributors came with a rubber "O" ring but not my version. So I have a very good oil leak. I tried putting on my own rubber "o" ring but does not help much. At one time I thought it helped but not now after I got it back from distributor repair shop. Any ideas. Thanks Marty
 
Hylomar
 
Marty--

You don't say what kind of distributor you have but assuming it is a Lucas there should be an O-ring that rides in a machined groove toward the top of the distributor shaft. If your distributor does not have the groove I don't know how you are going to effect a seal.

Putting a glob of sealant--hylomar or otherwise--around the shaft before shoving it down into the engine is unlikely to work regardless or whether you subsequently turn the shaft to adjust timing, etc.
 
Michael Oritt said:
Marty--

You don't say what kind of distributor you have but assuming it is a Lucas there should be an O-ring that rides in a machined groove toward the top of the distributor shaft. If your distributor does not have the groove I don't know how you are going to effect a seal.

Putting a glob of sealant--hylomar or otherwise--around the shaft before shoving it down into the engine is unlikely to work regardless or whether you subsequently turn the shaft to adjust timing, etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply. It is an original Lucas that came with BN1 or two cars. If you have Moss Catalog it says earlier ones did not have grove cut in to base and so not equipped. Mine does not. Maybe I could try to file grove in? Or softer "o" ring?
 
If your distributor looks like this DM6 in the area of the underside of the flange, you should be able to put an o-ring just under the flange and squish it against the engine block, effecting an oil seal.
Another possibility would be a bead of silicone. You could time the engine first, then index mark the flange to the block, then add the o-ring or silicone and carefully return the distributor to the indexed position.
DistribFlangeBottom.JPG
 
Marty--

According to Clausager and other sources the cars originally had DM2P4 distributors and all of the online images show an O-ring. I don't think you'll be able to "file" a groove in unless you do it on a lathe. I still have my doubts about a bead of silicone--distributor bodies are not that expensive....
 
Michael Oritt said:
Marty--

According to Clausager and other sources the cars originally had DM2P4 distributors and all of the online images show an O-ring. I don't think you'll be able to "file" a groove in unless you do it on a lathe. I still have my doubts about a bead of silicone--distributor bodies are not that expensive....
Click to expand...

Micheal, I looked at the base of distributor again and found that if I drag my finger nail across that area I can feel say a 1/64 grove or less. At the store I found a 15/16" OD "O" that is a 1/16th rubber ring so it has to stretch slightly to fit. Next I found that base of distributor had a ridge on it so I filed bottom flat. So far it seems not to be leaking oil or as much anyway. I will give it more time to see. Thanks for help. Marty
 
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