I dropped the oil pan on the 29 tonight. What do you think.?

[57plymouth]

I think that Eastwood sells a red paint called Glyptol that is used inside engines.  I have not used it, but it is supposed to speed oil drain back.  I am not aware of any Chrysler Corp vehicle that was painted inside the engine from the factory.  I would say it's a rebuild.  It looks good though!  I would hose it out with brake cleaner and put the pan back on.

[chetbrz]

I was looking at the cotter pins in your photo but I can't make out all of them. Chrysler engines, if found in their original condition, had the cotter pins installed in the same fashion for years. The loop head of the pins goes in a castle opening in the nut and was hit with a 'hammer?' and flatened in the slot. Then the pin leg ends were opened and one leg came back over the nut and was cut off short just as it went over the bolt end. Then it was also peened down over the bolt and nut for a tight fit. The other pin leg was pushed down the side of the cap and left long but was also mashed tight to the cap side. If you find the cotter pins in this shape its a good bet the engine has never been touched. I know some one could have followed the Chrysler example but I've tried and you can tell my work from the factory. Those guys on the line had it down to a science and their work is 'spot on' with no deviation. In other words you can tell their work from post factory right off.? ? ?

Tks Mr. Plymouths,

That cinches it.? I think you can see in the picture that the cotter pins are on loose and are not peened against the nuts or the caps.? Actually they are loose to the touch and only one leg bent over the nut & bolt with the other left straight.? Neither end cut.? They are all done in this fashion.? Based on your description definitely not factory installed.

What a great piece of Plymouth trivia..., Chet?

[chetbrz]

The red colour is Red lead, a very durable paint used in marine and industrial applications and it contains a great deal of lead which gives it real staying power.? If you lift a gallon can of it it is startlingly heavy.? ?The inner surfaces of quality engines? were painted with this material to encapsulate any sand residue which may have beem left after the casting was cleaned.? There are modern formulas which are used by some engine builders today.

Dave,

Do you know if Chrysler used this paint on their engines back in 1929.?  Sounds like something that was probably done back then.

or

Does anyone else out there with a 28, 29, or 30 - 32 Plymouth have a painted interior crankcase.?

Just curious, Chet...

[David Pollock]

The red colour is Red lead, a very durable paint used in marine and industrial applications and it contains a great deal of lead which gives it real staying power.  If you lift a gallon can of it it is startlingly heavy.   The inner surfaces of quality engines  were painted with this material to encapsulate any sand residue which may have beem left after the casting was cleaned.  There are modern formulas which are used by some engine builders today.

[chetbrz]

Thanks Tod,

What I was wondering about is..., in my picture the crankcase appears to have been painted.  Was that customary and was red the color.?   I suspect that this engine was rebuilt in its recent history.  It just appears to be to clean, runs to strong, and has virtually no back pressure coming from the vent tube.  This just doesn?t sound like a stock 78 year old engine that?s never been rebuilt.

Mind you I am not complaining.., just curious in that this is the first Model U motor I have ever peeked into.

By the way I will clean the oil screen.

Chet...

[TodFitch]

Looks pretty good to my poorly educated eyes. I'd drop that screen on the oil pump inlet and clean it out too.

[chetbrz]

In an effort to fix the leaking oil pan gasket, which was basically non-existent.? I was pleasantly surprised to find what I consider to be a crankcase that was in great shape.? The pan itself had very minimal sludge and the overall appearance of the engine was not what I was expecting for a 78 year old motor.?



It looks to me like this engine has had some work done to it in its recent past.? I think I am going to wipe it out and reinstall the oil pan.? After all if it ain?t broke don?t fix it and I have other things to occupy my time.?

Any advice while I am under the car yet again.? Actually between this and the 48 which I am restoring I have spent more time working on my back then a French Maid.? If there are any French Nationals insulted by this comment I was only referring to the very difficult job those maids have.? As for myself.., I am a big proponent of the benefits they provide to the workplace.

Chet?