I am the new (a few months)owner of a 1967 "E" type late series roadster. The car is a very clean driver in great shape. I have owned other British machines in the past and understand their propensity to leak but feel the current drip is more than the usual. Specifically oil is leaking from the driver side (LHD) front and rear of the cylindar head. Although not disasterous I feel I must clean the side of the block after every run. I suspect a new gasket is required and was wondering as to the complexity of such a task. I tried to check things out using a "Haynes" workshop manual and got a little worried when they suggest removing the bonnet as a first step. Instructions also include releasing the sprockets. I'm not sure I want to tackle this on my own.
My question is what a job like this might cost from a professional shop and how long it might take. I have no references in my area as to reliable repair facilities. My inclination is to use the car through the summer anf early fall dabbing up the machines blood after each trip and have the problem fixed over the winter......????
Looking for any comments....

Thanx,
Ray g

Submitted by rjg@voicenet.com on Tue, 07/06/2004 - 13:01

Michael & Michael;
Thanks for the information and levity !!! Actually you have straightened my "head" out... The leak is probably from a front cover and traveling around the minor space at the heqad gasket to the side where the blokc is curved and then drips down the side. I'll get to the real cause eventually.
Thanx again....
ray g
Cars owned:
\'67 XKE Roadster
\'79 MG Midget

Submitted by mfrank@westnet.com on Tue, 07/06/2004 - 12:06

The good news is that if it's not leaking, you aren't out of oil (save this joke, you will need it eventually).

It's a pretty common problem. As long as the leak isn't excessive, you're safe to run for the season. You might want to try tightening the timing case nuts...there are a couple of studs which hold it to the head. These are located under the front edge of the head, so they are a bit awkward to get to. No torque spec, they are intuitively tight.

Head removal is a little involved, since it's an OHC engine. It can be done at home, although you may want to have an experienced friend helping. A shop should turn the job around in a few days, as long as the studs aren't too bad.

Submitted by MikeEck@optonl… on Tue, 07/06/2004 - 11:56

Simply based on probability I would doubt that your head gasket is leaking oil. My advice would be to thoroughly clean the engine and then run it in your garage and watch for leaks to determine where they are really coming from. High probability areas are the cam covers, the front breather dome and the banjo bolts at the rear of the head. Also the rear main seal has been known to leak oil.

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