Morris Minor Owners Club

I have started the engine after about 5 months restoration of the bodywork,and there is a leak from the rear crank seal.I know on some cars they are cork,and after a while they seal themselves.Is it a case with the Morris as well

The crank doesn't have a seal as such but relies on a scroll that draws any leaking oil back into the sump, unless it's the cork seal on the rear of the sump gasket you mean. Check your crankcase breather isn't blocked as pressure in the crankcase will push oil past the scroll, the best one to have is the canister type on the front side cover to the vac connection on the carb.

Has the car been on it's side during the resto work?

The car was jacked up level and the engine and gearbox were removed,so I could paint the engine bay.Can I remove just the sump,if the leak persists and change the cork gasket

Of course -but that is the sump seal, not the rear crank 'seal'... Where is the oil appearing -at the back of the sump, or dripping out of the jiggle pin in the base of the gearbox?

Havn`t had a close look I will get under the car later and let you know .Busy trying to get the wing level and smooth after I welded a new section in ..You flat it down and there are stil tiny marks,the joy of restoration Len

Had a look under the car ( while the paint on the wing is drying) and the leak is coming ,from the rear of the engine, (back of the sump).I also have a small leak from the nut on the oil filter,it is the old type,I was a bit worried about how tight I should do this nut up,is it a rubber washer on the nut ?

Forgot to add,the engine has only run for about 3 minutes just to check I had the wiring etc correct.

Ran the engine while I was underneath and the oil seemed to be coming from where the starter motor bolts on the engine.Looked on the top and the oil was coming from the banjo nut securing the oil pipe to the crankcase.I had tightened it up quite tight,but gave it an extra 1/4 turn.Seems to be OK

I meant to say when I bought the car ,though it was not drivable the engine ran well,with no oil leaks So I was a bit surprised when this problem popped up,thought it was like the Rovers,where there is a rope gasket,which dries out if left for a while.

I found that although the sides of the main floor cross member under my car had been cut out and replaced due to rot, the central part was beautifully preserved, thanks to oil leaks.
Perhaps we should be finding ways to spread the oil leaks around the whole of the floor area?