Classic Alfa Forums

I got the whole of 6 laps out of my Minari at a recent track day before the Cam oil seal blew out and emptied 2l of oil onto the track , I wasn't popular after that. I was decelerating and going into a left-hander, about 6k revs, when the cam oil seal on cylinders #2 & #4 blew out. My initial thoughts were there was an oil surge in the head when I turned left, but I can't figure how the pressure would have been high enough to blow out the oil seal.

Has anyone got any ideas of what might have caused this as the heads had recently been rebuilt and I had checked that the new front seals were fully seated?

It's a rebuilt 1.7 8v with polished and ported solid lifter head, the oil breather is open to atmosphere.

Feck it anyway

Colin

That's a shame, especially after so little track time. I believe this type of thing is not unheard of in racing circles, in fact Adie Hawkins sells a pair of retainer plates to keep the oil seals in check (at least for 8v engines). I guess at high rpm and/or high cornering forces there must be an accumulation of oil/oil pressure in the outboard cam box that blows the seal out...

Yes it is a common thing unfortunately, we've made our own retention tabs since rallying days back in the mid 70's.

Great, thanks for the advice.

I had seen the Oil Seal retaining rings on the AHM website a number of years ago and I remember thinking then "I wonder where they are for?".

There where probably easier ways to find out.

I take it you meant the ti autos track day Colin.
You haven't changed a bit in my eyes!
These things happen at track days.
I got given out to for overtaking through a bend (which was bold)
but goodness he needs bigger mirrors (holding up 3 faster cars).