Tach cable leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 481
Likes: 109
From: Monrovia MD
Tach cable leak
I traced a minor oil leak to the where the mechanical tach cable attaches to the distributor. I pulled the cable and installed a rubber o-ring. That stopped the leak, but I’m worried about oil backing up the cable. Is there supposed to be an gasket/o-ring at that connection or, is there an internal seal that needs repair?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
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From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Lubrication on the tach drive output shaft is good thing, but i am wondering how oil is getting up inside the dizzy housing that far to begin with? It has been quite a while since i looked at the bottom of a factory distributor, but isn't there an oil drain hole above the lower bushing?
Do you maybe have excess crank case pressure because of something being plugged up, which is driving oil up the distributor?
Doug
Do you maybe have excess crank case pressure because of something being plugged up, which is driving oil up the distributor?
Doug
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 481
Likes: 109
From: Monrovia MD
I’ve added a PCV valve, so there’s not much crankcase pressure, but I’ll double-check it. The distributor is an aftermarket HEI unit, so I’ll check it for a drain. I do remember filing a small channel in the lower collar for better gear oiling, seems like that should help prevent this though.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Couple questions:
You say you a dded a PCV valve.
There need to be two vents, one an air intake to the crank case,and the other the PCV valve. Where is the air intake vent located?
and, is the PCV valve installed the correct way/direction?
Doug
You say you a dded a PCV valve.
There need to be two vents, one an air intake to the crank case,and the other the PCV valve. Where is the air intake vent located?
and, is the PCV valve installed the correct way/direction?
Doug
Last edited by AZDoug; May 27, 2020 at 11:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 481
Likes: 109
From: Monrovia MD
The intake manifold still has the oil filler tube with a vented cap. The intake to the PCV system starts at a baffled hose connection on the side of the oil pan, goes through a PCV valve, then a filtered oil catch can, then to the back of the carb. It works pretty good. The tach connection still leaks with the oil filler cap off, so I’m pretty sure it’s not crankcase pressure.
I’m guessing it has something to do with it being an aftermarket distributor. I’ll have to remove it and take a serious look at it. I do seem to remember it wasn’t that snug a fit when I installed it. Maybe it’s loose enough that it’s letting too much oil by? At least the o-ring seems to be working for now.
I’m guessing it has something to do with it being an aftermarket distributor. I’ll have to remove it and take a serious look at it. I do seem to remember it wasn’t that snug a fit when I installed it. Maybe it’s loose enough that it’s letting too much oil by? At least the o-ring seems to be working for now.
