Can a ticking noise that only ocurs on the road, under load and past a certain rpm be attributed to a front oil seal? The noise seems to follow engine speed and is regular. My front seal leaked almost as soon as we put it in. As in my previous forum, I do not think this is related to drive train. This seal is the only obvious thing that is not working properly.

Can the front oil seal cause such a ticking noise? My front oil seal is leaking prematurely.

I describe it as a tap, it may be more like a tick. I almost thought it was a lifter at first. It positively is following the engine in speed, so I do not think it is in the drive train. One item, the other problem I have is that it is a 5000 to 600 mile completely overhauled engine and teh front oil seal is leaking. Can oil seals tick in time with the engine.

It goes with engine speed and not cr speed. The engine had a major overhaul in the 1990's, but only has about 500 miles on it.

For some time I have been chasing a ticking noise from my 1953 Packard. I only occurs on the road and seems to only occur past a certain rpm. It follows the engine speed and goes away when I let off the gas and comes back we I depress it. It happens in lo and hi range. I cannot make it do it in my shop, either hot or cold, revving the engine, even putting the brake on, chocking the wheel and gassing it in reverse. It does not appear to be lifters or bearings, because it will not do it hot, period; not at rest, at any rpm, only on the road. It does not appear to come from the wheels due to tight relation to engine speed. It is dependably repeatable. I have checked the fuel pump vacuum, I have machined the manifold flat and replaced the gaskets. I have checked timing and replaced both the distributor and the advance with new units to no avail. Recently, I saw the forum on the oil filler tube knocking. Sure enough mine was backwards, also, but this was not it. I am at my wits end. I have had two experienced mechanics, (not Packard specialists), with knowledge of old cars. They only came up with some of the above.
HELP!!!!!

I have discussed this issue with many owners and I wonder if there is not a hidden fix somewhere that I am not aware of. On flat roads where the engine is not under a great load the car shifts fine, but put it on a hill and it will often make a grinding sound when shifting. Bob Aller and the guy in New Jersey who used to do Ultramatics, as well once told me that it is nearly impossible to locate the source of the problem once the unit is rebuilt. They advised to let off theh accelerator momentarily to let the transmision shift and it solves the problem. I can see a salesman trying that one on a 1953 customer!