'48 pan crankcase oil leak

[doc308]

I have some oil seepage from under the engine ('48 pan) at the seam of where the 2 crankcase haves are bolted together. It is minor, and definitely not bad enough to tear the whole engine apart, and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for some kind of goop which might be spread over the seam to contain the seepage. I tried some silicone sealer, but it didn't work for too long.

[JR JOHNSON]

hi, not much you can do,silicone,other sealants need clamp presure,dry joints to work. there might be something magic out there, i sure haven't seen,it. all mine seep there,never worryed about it.......with respect...... JR

[Panshovevo]

The problem is pressure in the crankcase, and the expansion/contraction of the aluminum cases. First, make sure the leak is coming from the split line. If it really bothers you, and you don't want to pull it apart, try V-ing the split line just a bit, with a Dremel, or similar, degrease thoroughly with brake cleaner, and fill the area with a little JB Weld or Marine-Tex. No guarantees, but I believe it's your best bet.
Regards,
John

[steinauge]

Unfortunately that is a "live with it or tear it down problem.

[Hog54]

Yeah I have to split my cases this winter because unfortunately I got the last year they put the main shaft seal on from the inside.I hope harley fired the guy that had that idea in the first place.I cant believe it took them till 54 to fix it.

[RUBONE]

Yeah I have to split my cases this winter because unfortunately I got the last year they put the main shaft seal on from the inside.I hope harley fired the guy that had that idea in the first place.I cant believe it took them till 54 to fix it.

Engines built through '54 have only an oil slinger/bearing retainer on the mainshaft, no seal as such. It has a reverse cut spiral to direct the oil back into the engine. And it is held in place by a snap-ring accessible from the outside. Not sure what you have but if it is a seal it isn't stock!
Robbie

[Panshovevo]

The snap ring is accessible from the outside, but have you ever been successful at getting one out?

Regards,
John

[Cotten]

The snap ring is accessible from the outside, but have you ever been successful at getting one out?

Regards,
John

I have been compelled to do it several times.
The easiest way is to destroy its temper with a jeweler's torch.

.....Cotten

[Panshovevo]

Makes sense. Thanks, Cotten
Regards,
John

[RUBONE]

The snap ring is accessible from the outside, but have you ever been successful at getting one out?

Regards,
John

Yes, I have. To repair a mess someone else did trying to change it for some unknown reason. The only time they fail is if the mainshaft rubs on them and creates an out of round situation. But that usually means the left side rollers are so worn a complete rebuild is necessary!
Robbie

[JR JOHNSON]

hi, on the other hand,my 47,i found a seal, stuffed it the lathe,lip out,open primary,then i seen aftermarket started to do them in the 80s, it was easy to get the seal out,but the slinger would be a prob. to get out with the fly wheels in it.
the big thing was when it static sump while sitting ,it leak out of the shaft,make mess starting up,i fix that prob,but i wanted a seal from the dirt .
........with respect....JR

[Panshovevo]

the big thing was when it static sump while sitting ,it leak out of the shaft,make mess starting up, .
........with respect....JR

Exactly. I'm putting a seal in mine.

Regards,
John

[steinauge]

You are probably aware that Colony makes a seal to replace the slinger.

[Hog54]

You are probably aware that Colony makes a seal to replace the slinger.

And thats what I have.And it goes on from the inside.

[RUBONE]

And thats what I have.And it goes on from the inside.

All the more reason it makes no sense for you to complain about the H-D engineers. They didn't make it so you had to put your seal on from the inside. Why don't you bash Colony?
Robbie