sdreich
Member
Hi-
Over a year ago I had my engine rebuilt. It seemed fine for a while, then then I started finding black oil in the bilge, which was strange because the engine oil was quite clean. To make a long story short, I discovered the rear transmission seal was leaking and throwing gear oil onto the clutch plate, which was totally burned out (no fiber left at all) when the car died just short of my driveway. I replaced the seal and the clutch, but I started seeing gear oil in the bilge again. I pulled the transmission and the new seal was leaking. My mechanic friend came over and said the seal was leaking because the shaft was not stabilized by the crank shaft bearing. Checking the manual, it's not a bearing, but a brass bushing. Now I had to pull the engine as well, and sure enough there was no bushing. "Where did it go," I asked. "Vaporized," was the reply.
My question is, can a bushing really get vaporized such that there are no pieces seen anywhere, or is it possible, that it was not inserted when the engine was rebuilt? I don't know if it was there when I repaired the transmission the first time, since I didn't know enough to look for it or even notice it. Assuming, it wasn't replaced by the engine rebuilder, do you think I have any case in going back to him? What would be the evidence?
Your thoughts are most appreciated.
-Steve
Del Mar, CA
'64 red (AMPHICR) in multiple parts including engine in the driveway
'64 red (I SWIM 2) sitting idle while I focus on AMPHICR
Over a year ago I had my engine rebuilt. It seemed fine for a while, then then I started finding black oil in the bilge, which was strange because the engine oil was quite clean. To make a long story short, I discovered the rear transmission seal was leaking and throwing gear oil onto the clutch plate, which was totally burned out (no fiber left at all) when the car died just short of my driveway. I replaced the seal and the clutch, but I started seeing gear oil in the bilge again. I pulled the transmission and the new seal was leaking. My mechanic friend came over and said the seal was leaking because the shaft was not stabilized by the crank shaft bearing. Checking the manual, it's not a bearing, but a brass bushing. Now I had to pull the engine as well, and sure enough there was no bushing. "Where did it go," I asked. "Vaporized," was the reply.
My question is, can a bushing really get vaporized such that there are no pieces seen anywhere, or is it possible, that it was not inserted when the engine was rebuilt? I don't know if it was there when I repaired the transmission the first time, since I didn't know enough to look for it or even notice it. Assuming, it wasn't replaced by the engine rebuilder, do you think I have any case in going back to him? What would be the evidence?
Your thoughts are most appreciated.
-Steve
Del Mar, CA
'64 red (AMPHICR) in multiple parts including engine in the driveway
'64 red (I SWIM 2) sitting idle while I focus on AMPHICR