It would be so nice if my Nailhead didn't leak like a sieve...

**55Super** · 09-16-2009, 11:40 PM

I'm new to Team Buick, but not to Buicks. I've owned my 55 since Super Bowl Sunday, 2001.

But since the first day I bought it, and even after an engine rebuild, this car leaks oil like a sieve. I believe it's the rear main seal (replaced twice -- still leaks) that uses some sort of rope gasket, and I'm just wondering if anyone here has found the end all solution to stopping a leak in this location.

Thanks!

--
1955 Buick Super (Two-door Hardtop)
1966 Buick Skylark (Two-door Hardtop)
1964 Lincoln (Four-door Convertible)
http://www.lh-photography.com/picturecars/index.html

**telriv** · 09-17-2009, 03:51 AM

I use a neoprene seal in all the "Nails" I rebuild. I have them in stock along with instructions & proper sealer. Can be done with engine in car.

**lotuslover** · 10-04-2009, 09:01 PM

Tom,
I have a minor leak from the rear main seal in my '65 425 engine. Please give me more info re: your fix (a neoprene seal). Also info how I can buy it from you.
bc

Originally Posted by telriv

I use a neoprene seal in all the "Nails" I rebuild. I have them in stock along with instructions & proper sealer. Can be done with engine in car.

**telriv** · 10-05-2009, 03:42 AM

Send a Postal Money Order in the amount of $40.00 & I will send you the seals you need along with instructions & sealer to the address below.

Tom T.

**Three Tone** · 10-05-2009, 08:43 PM

Prolly a silly question....I'm still torn between changing the drivetrain in the Special to something more late model or doing a refresh on the 264. Can all the parts I need be found? Rings bearings gaskets. I would want to replace / rebuild the fuel / water / oil pumps. If I'm going to stay stock I want to travel without worry about old parts leaving me and the wife on some rural two lane.

**Airy Cat** · 10-05-2009, 08:58 PM

Keep the nailhead. Parts can be found through Kantor or Terrell.
I have four Buicks with nailheads and they all leak from the rear main and I've had at least 20 more in the past and they all leaked! I just use a sheet metal oil pan under the engine in the garage and carry an extra can of oil in the trunk. No big deal. I just got used to it 35 years ago.

**telriv** · 10-06-2009, 04:16 AM

Thing is, you don't have to put up with oil leakage. IT CAN BE FIXED!!!!

Tom T.

**sfuller442** · 11-19-2009, 02:15 PM

To answer your oil issue with the rope seal being used as the rear main seal, thats the seal for the timing cover, I thought the rope was for the rear main but learned quick before I made a mistake that the rope does not work in the back. Hope that solves some issues.

**telriv** · 11-19-2009, 02:57 PM

Originally the rope was used in both places. It was like this from the beginning,'53, to the end, '66. The front usually leaks much less, if at all, than the rear because of the oil pressure. Up until '61 the rear main on the crank was grooved just as the other main journals. In '62 the rear main crank journal was no longer grooved which helped stop or greatly reduce the dreaded rear main seal leakage problem.

Tom T.

**sfuller442** · 11-19-2009, 03:34 PM

Wow, I didn't know there was such a widely know rear main seal issue with nailheads, guess I just lucked out.

Good to know for the future though, thats for the information.