Due to me moving, I've got my bird stored at a friend's shop, up on the lift. It's been there a month. Saturday we needed to get another car on the hoist, so we lowered the bird, and I drove it off and down the driveway. When I walked back there was a trail of oil drops, every 2 inches or so, where I'd backed out. I went back and checked the oil level, it's fine. When we put the bird back on the lift, more oil drops, and a pretty good puddle before it quit dripping.

Its the spin on filter, leaking at the gasket. I've seen this happen on installation, but never on a filter with 500 or so miles on it. The fact the oil level was ok, and the garage was clean when I put it up last month, the filter had to have failed at start up. Aside from the obvious of putting a new quality filter (read that not Fram), anybody got any ideas or experience of anything else to look for?

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Tighten the filter a quarter turn, if it still leaks replace it.

If it still leaks you may need to check the gasket on the filter seal plate to yur block.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Thanks, guys. I'd tighten it if it was a new install. I'll look at the plate, but it's been fine for at least a couple years. I'm thinking I'm not going to trust this filter, and just fit a new on.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Filters are cheap.  try a good one - NAPA gold or a Ford branded filter.  Wix is another good name.  If that does not fix the leak, it may be the adapter to block seal that is leaking as mentioned above.  I have problems with these in the past, went back to a original one.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

My feelings exactly, a lot cheaper than losing a motor. I've just never had one leak months and miles after an install. The adaptor has never been a problem. With the FPA headers, a short filter is the only option. Even at that, the steady rest bar has to be pulled to change a filter.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

For what its worth, seems like I heard that Wix had sold out to Fram...Don't remember where I heard that  but if it true I won't be using Wix again..Always try to use Motocraft.
Jim

Location:Washington,Ia

Another problem, although somewhat unlikely, is that the pressure relief valve in the oil pump failed.  I had this happen on a 57 Ford with a rebuilt pump.  It would build up so much pressure that it would leak.  One time it actually blew the filter right off the engine.

If you use a heavy  engine oil, on startup do not rev engine, as relief  can not handle the volume and you have a possible spike until oil warms.that is why i use 5/30 in my 292. just a thought. cliff/t

Don't know much about filters available in the U.S. What is the issue/s with Fram? I have used them on Suburbans that I had when I've been visiting. I had no obvious problems.