239 ohv

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Feb 12, 2005 | 11:06 AM

54sbus

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: fort mill south carolina

239 ohv

ive got a original 54 f100 with 239 that i cant seem to stop an oil leak around the rear main..ive replaced the rope seal top and bottom and the 2 side retainer seals..still have a small leak around reatiner..any suggestion?
this leak seems worse when driving hard..do you think it could be crankcase pressure?? any help is greatly appreciated..

Feb 12, 2005 | 05:26 PM

abe

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 25,380

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From: Central PA

don't have an answer for you but many rear main seals leak, it depends on how much drippage you are willing to put up with. You should put this question over on the Y-block page and you'll get a lot of help there. There are already threads, both here and there about this problem.

abe

Feb 13, 2005 | 08:44 AM

GreatNorthWoods

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 8,813

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From: Littleton, New Hampshire

The 54 OHV 239 was notorious for a leaking rear seal. I think it was a design problem more than anything else. My son had the engine in his 54 Sunliner completely rebuilt and it started leaking within weeks. Unless there is some kind of aftermarket fix, there is not much you can do as the original rope seal and retainer seals just did not do the job.

Vern

Feb 13, 2005 | 08:48 AM

312

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

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make sure your crankcase filter is clean.the canister can also get full of sludge.clean it out.if its pluged it will make the seal leak worse.

Feb 14, 2005 | 06:44 PM

286merc

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2001

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From: Southern New Hampshire

I well remember a 54 merc 256 I had years ago. It took 3 trys in the driveway before the flood turned to an occassional drip.
Funny tho, the 239 in my current 54 F350 never leaked in the 5 years I ran it and it had sat for years before I got it. Still ran perfect when I pulled it for a 292.

Feb 14, 2005 | 08:03 PM

54sbus

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: fort mill south carolina

thanks 286merc..i believe i got something wrong when i slammed it in last week..
ive got another seal kit coming and will try again..i hope i can stop the flood at least to a minimal drip..I dont mind a drip,but a flood is another story..I once put a 292 in a 46 f100 and never had a single drip..this one is really kickin my #$$#@..Im going to try a differant seal that goes on the sides of the seal retainer this time..ive used some oil dye and a flourescent black light and can see it spraying from around the sides of the retainer..i'll keep ya posted..thanks for the reply...steve

Feb 16, 2005 | 09:42 AM

fking1

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 825

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From: Michigan

There is an oil additive that causes the seals to swell a bit and may (may?) help. I put some in my leaking 239 (just overhauled),but haven't driven it enough to see if it works.
Fred K.