Oil leak from between oil seal retainer and bearing housing

[Siobhan]

Hi! Irwin 27, new to us ‘67 A4, fitting it in on new stringers and engine mounts.

After our first test fit, with the aft of the engine lower, we noticed an oil leak out of the bottom of the back of the engine- where the oil seal retainer articulates to the bearing housing oil pan and oil pan. The transmission on this A4 came from a different engine, something went wrong with the original when the guy who sold it to us was testing it.

I’m wondering if I have to replace the oil seal or if it is possible just to replace the bearing housing gasket. It also looks like it may be coming from the lowest of the bolts holding the oil seal retainer in place. Ideas?

[Al Schober]

Leaks in that area are tough. One known cause of a leak at that bolt is to use a split lock washer, but the washer in the photo looks like a solid copper one.
First thing I'd try is to remove the bolt and to reinstall with some sealant on both sides of the washer - don't be skimpy. If that fails, you're into more serious work.

[Siobhan]

Sealant type

Thanks Al, I will try that today. What kind of sealant is appropriate it this situation?

[rickinnj]

There are some pictures of that area disassembled in my 'engine removal' album if that helps. I used Permatex Black for the reassembly.

[Siobhan]

Thanks rick.

From your pictures I can’t tell if you used both 5/16 copper washers and lock washers or just copper washers. In the atomic 4 arts book I have it lists both but does not picture them so I’m not sure what kind of lock washers to use there.

[rickinnj]

no lock washers were used...just the flat copper.