Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Can anyone recommend how I could expand the bottom end of the tube and or in some other way diminish the minimal leakage of oil that exits the front top of the block as I drive the Packard and makes a mess?

The original to me oil filler tube was a retro example, as the 400 had after market AC added years ago. Upon restoring the 400, I used the "correct" tube from my parts car. And this one's OD is a bit too small and therefore doesn't fit tightly. I hesitate to 'wrap' something around the end for fear that it could dislodge and enter the engine's interior.

I first thought that I'd take the tube to a muffler shop and have them expand it a bit, but then realized there is a baffle located inside near the end too.

Picture 3552 shows the one I removed from the car due to the AC unit that was removed and picture 7437 show the current one.

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Here's a trick I learned a long time ago for these things:

Take a hammer and lightly tap the end with it to oval-ize it. Don't do it too much, just a little bit to get it to fit snug. I've done this several times without an issue.

As for the mess issue, do you have the tube with the flap on the end of it? Some V8's came without it and the timing chain will push oil spray up the tube and it will drain down out the cap. If it has the flap, make sure the opening of the flap is facing the fuel pump, and not towards the chain. I ran into this on my '56 with the 320 in it, the original 320 didn't have the flap, but the one out of my '56 engine did, so it may be a '56 only deal. It sure made a difference when I put one with the flap in it, no more leaks!

Have you tried applying some black RTV to the tube, prior to installation, and then wiping of any excess that squeezes out?

I even use that on front wheel bearing dust caps to keep the grease from creeping out and, eventually, onto the wheel.

I don't think RTV will help the leak coming out of the top, which is where it's actually leaking from, not the bottom.

Trust me, I went round and round with this issue for over 3 months before I figured out it was slinging oil out the cap. I tried everything I could think of, RTV, etc, and it didn't do anything until I installed a tube with the flap in it.

Exerpt from 1955 Service Counselor.

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Now the question is, is the baffle they're referring to the flap on the end, or something inside the tube itself? I seem to remember the tube I put in the '56 Pat had some sort of internal baffle as well as the flap. I didn't realize it until we cut it apart to modify it to clear the supercharger.

Within the lower portion of barrel of the filler tube.

Okay guys..Thanks much for the ideas.

I took Eric's idea and ever-so slightly tapped the tube's bottom end and 'oval-ized' it a tad. Having do that I'm off to Ace Hardware tomorrow for a O-ring. I'll also apply a tad of RTV as necessary. I looked closely at my old engine picture and noted what appears to be an O-ring.

Reference the leaks. It all seems to have been from the area at the bottom where the block meets the tube. No evidence of any oil coming from the cap/air breather. BTW I noticed that I never replaced the old 'brillo' like material inside the cap. Is that really necessary?

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BTW I noticed that I never replaced the old 'brillo' like material inside the cap. Is that really necessary?

It's necessary if you want to minimize dirt from entering the crankcase; the mesh, which should be oiled, acts as a filter for the air entering the crankcase ventilation system.