Other: Distributor oil leak

[E. Davis]

It looks like I have an oil leak coming from the base of the distributor. I have never seen an oil leak in this location before but then...its a Studebaker. Delco-Remy on a 289. The manual diagram of the distributor is a little vague about a gasket and its location. Looks like it may be an O-ring but the local flaps wasn't sure either. Anybody ever encountered this problem ??

[DEEPNHOCK]

Sure it isn't coming out of the road draft (pcv) tube and blowing back onto and around the distributor base?

[E. Davis]

Nope.. it looks like its coming out around the distributor right where it sits on the block and runs down the front of the bell housing. I first thought it might be coming from that little plug that's just to the left of the distributor but I can see the distributor base is wet so I don't think it would climb up there.

[JoeHall]

Pull it out, make a gasket, and reinstall. A PITA, but likely the only way you will get it to stop leaking. While you have it out, if you don't know when the distributor was last serviced, disassemble, inspect, clean, lube and reassemble it too.

[E. Davis]

Is it a paper gasket at the base or an O ring further down? The manual seems to show an o-ring like device on the shaft below the base but the guys at NAPA can't find any such part or paper gasket. It seems like a mystery they have never encountered.

[Alan]

527214, Gasket dist. support.

[JoeHall]

Take a about a 3" x 3" piece of medium thick gasket paper; use a socket and baby sledge hammer to stamp a hole a little smaller then the ID of the distributor flange; use scissors to trim the hole a little larger, to just slip over the flange and into place; use the scissors to cut an OD about 1/4" broad, and you have just fabricated a gasket as good as the OEM one ever was. Be sure to use gasket paper, not cork. Be careful not to rip the gasket while you are dropping the distributor back in. Be sure to set the #1 cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke before you remove the distributor in the first place.

Like I said, its a PITA. I'd also recommend a Shop Manual in hand before tackling the above.

Alternatively, if you have an old distributor laying around, you could use it as a template to make the gasket, then cut the gasket in two at one point. Then, instead of removing the distributor, lift it up about 1/4" and work the gasket under the distributor. I'd consider this a field fix, in a pinch, and recommend the first fix as a preferred approach.

[E. Davis]

Many thanks....Supposed to have some rainy days here and it will be a good project.

[Chucks Stude]

Rain, what is that?

[E. Davis]

I know what you mean. Its getting to be a pretty rare commodity here too.

[Bud]

I have a box of the correct distributor base gaskets that I bought a couple of years ago. The aftermarket part number is GSK138 and the original part number is 533010, they should be available from S.I. or some of the other parts vendors. Bud

[StudeRich]

I have a box of the correct distributor base gaskets that I bought a couple of years ago. The aftermarket part number is GSK138 and the original part number is 533010, they should be available from S.I. or some of the other parts vendors. Bud

Ahh, "Studebaker Vendor aftermarket Part Number" that is Bud, not to be confused with a Auto Parts Store aftermarket part.
I know you mentioned it, but some people would read right around those last 12 words, ask for a GSK138 gasket at O'Reilly's and get a GSKly stare!

[altair]

The gasket may be part of the problem but check the breather vents, maby excess crankcase pressure.

[E. Davis]

Good point. A friend of mine suggested the same thing. Going to do that.

[rkapteyn]

GSK138 is the part number of the after market Studebaker vendor wholesaler.
Napa numbers are different.
Robert Kapteyn