Avanti excessive oil leakage

stuck rings? excessive blow by and its putting too much pressure on the lower end and were the oil filler caps FILLED with stuff?

--Shiva--

No blowby, and the compression is good. I'm wondering about the oil filler caps because I have them soaking right now (they look like they've never been cleaned} and I'll check and blow them out in the morning. They look like they have never been cleaned and I'm wondering if that could possibly be the problem. Appears like something may be plugged up or something. Oil pressure is good, maybe a little too high at 55 lbs. at 40 mph and 35 to 40 lbs. at idle fully warmed up at 600 rpm. Very original car never been restored and strange for this problem. Just wondering if anyone has any idea where to look first before we get into serious stuff. I don't want to get into any more than I have to if possible. Thanks, I'll check the filler caps and blow them out in the morning and report back. Thanks for the input.

If this thing has a road draft tube instead of PCV, check to see if it is blocked. Years ago a friend had a 63 station wagon with an R2 and one day it started blowing oil all over everything. Turned out the road draft tube was plugged with mud.

Have you:

2) Removed the valve covers and cleaned the oil return passage?

...and you might add bad PCV valve. Sorta sounds like a ventilation problem. Another possibility is poorly seated oil filter..

JT

If it's "spraying" oil under pressure, sounds like a ventilation problem to me or maybe the oil filter is seated incorrectly since it is involving the right side of the engine.

While the oil filler caps are important on Studebakers, the R series engines have another vent direct from the oil pan to the air cleaner so that minimizes this issue.

OTOH, the low original mileage may be an indicator of sludge and poor return of oil to the pan.

Keep us posted,

JT

Thanks for the input, I'll check all areas mentioned here. I'm wondering if the high oil pressure could be the problem as well as a ventilation problem. The oil pressure relief valve is hard to get at on this car due to the supercharger. I've got to read the shop manual and find out how to remove that supercharger, that spring looks very intimidating. Does anyone know if there's a PCV on the R2 engines?? I appreciate all the input. Thanks Everett (Chick) Nauha

Check your rubber oil pressure hose at the back top right hand side (passenger side) of engine.

I had a Lark that I overhauled the engine in that routinely ran at 60 psi (or more) at highway speeds and idled at 40 psi. Never leaked a drop. The only way that I know of for oil to "spray" out is because of blocked ventilation or a compromise in the oiling system. As Jeff pointed out, plugged oil return passages in the head(s) would reduce the engine's ability to ventilate.

Since the Avanti uses two means to ventilate the crankcase, this possibility is reduced but not eliminated. That leaves the oil filter an/or bracket assembly. That would fit in with problems of oil "all over" the lower right hand side of the engine and adjacent areas. Of course it could also be some sort of weird damage to a head gasket etc. but not likely.

Just my 2¢ worth...

JT

Good point as these things become brittle and can break easily after all these years. However, the original poster complained of excess oil at lower levels for the engine so I discounted this possibility.

JT

(Who needs to replace that item on the '56 Power Hawk)

I did change the oil and filter, the original filter did have a puddle oil on the top of it and I suspected that was the culprit. After changing the oil and filter there is no longer a puddle on top of the oil filter. I can see the top of the oil filter with a flashlight, and I noticed that when I first got the car and thought that was it. After changing the oil and filter I thought I was all set because there was no longer any oil on top of it. But after a day of driving in all kinds of conditions, side roads and highway it was still spraying oil from what looks like the dipstick tube area because I was thinking it could push the oil up and then with the dipstick act as an umbrella and soak everything on that side of the car.. The right front passenger side tire is soaked with oil on the inside, and I was wondering if possibly the front seal or timing cover could be leaking and maybe the fan could be spraying the oil leakage if it was servere?? I'm kind of stumped and I'll be checking things one at a time and post what I find. Now the weather has turned with snow, so if the roads are salty I'll have to wait for another good day. I really appreciate all the comments and ideas from you guys. I'm a former autobodyman and a half fast mechanic as I had to be when I was younger and I need some help.

I bought a 1963 Lark with a V-8 that also threw oil on the inside of the tire, along with everything else on that side. In my case the u- shaped front cork oil pan gasket had shrunk. This left a void on the passenger side front corner, about 1/8" square. The oil mileage was about the same, as you indicated. Once the pan gasket was changed, it went up to 500 miles per quart. New umbrella seals on the valves increased it by another 300 miles. Lastly, a new felt seal behind the vibration damper gave another 100 miles. The rear main seal was OK on that one.

Interesting, I was talking with a Stude guy I'm sure you know him everybody does. Dave T. from Maynard Ma. and he mentioned the oil pan gasket also as well as the front timing cover. When first acquired it was smoking and we changed the valve seals which cured that. Now I'm dealing with the leakage and the spraying of oil. This will keep me busy for the winter and I thank you for your input.

EN