Age of engine

[margaretbattye]

I have a 1968 convertible with a 1098 cc engine - number 10MA-U-H 324204. Does this sound correct for the year? This is also the number on the V5. The reason I ask is because the engine has the open metal breather pipe from the tappet cover pointing downhill ie.no canister. It also has another breather from the rocker cover to the air filter. I thought this arrangement was fitted to earlier engines.

[POMMReg]

Mid 1968.

Would you please pm chassis & body number for my database?

Thanks

[margaretbattye]

Thanks for that - looks like original engine then! Will PM you.

[liammonty]

That's the same set-up as on both of the totally original 1968 cars I have owned. I think it was only the very late cars that had the canister and the rocker cover with no breather.

[bmcecosse]

Two breathers like that is ideal - just keep the pipes clear and clean.

[margaretbattye]

Was wondering whether to run a hose from the metal pipe to a carb to inlet manifold spacer with servo outlet as sold by ESM. I would reduce the opening size to 1/8 inch by filling with araldite and drilling. I've got a bit of oil dripping from the bell housing and thought it would help. No smoke from rocker filler when doing rev test!

[philthehill]

If your breathers are clear and you still have a leak from the bell housing hole fitting the manifold suction facility will only hide the underlying cause.
I suspect that your rear mains are worn and which will allow additional oil to pass the return scroll.
The only other possibility is that the oil pump cover is leaking oil.
I am afraid that to rectify either or both requires the engine out.
Phil

[bmcecosse]

It does help - reduces both oil consumption and drips - but it is really just a make-do fix till you find a better engine to swap over. Upsets the idle slightly - but then that's only a tiny % of the engine running time !

[margaretbattye]

Thanks for all replies.