Series 'A' Single Oil Leak: Part I

John Oakes

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
HI All
Does anyone have any recommendations on how to easily cure an oil leak that i have recently incurred form the cam box on my series A? I have removed the plate on the front and there is a paper filter/gasket that appears fine, and have smothered it with well seal before replacing. The leak seems to be coming from the corner where the 'cam box' the plate and the crank case meet. See my pic.
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Marcus Bowden

VOC Hon. Overseas Representative
VOC Member
I think you will need to lift the cam housing and do the horizontal joint then the coffin plate cover I use a rubberized cork jointing material with just grease on it.
bananaman.
PS when brother Harvey came up to show me his "A"Rap and I was thinking it was his "B" that had just been done up that I'd picked up for him after his first Vincent (after 40 years) was stolen from Fording Bridge Annual Rally. He had only ridden it up the hill and the coffin plate leaking like a dried out cork petrol tap but it was nice and clean oil. That was a surprise that day for me. He's always wanted mine then he finally got his own.
 

John Oakes

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
HI Marcus

Thanks for the reply. Is there some cunning way of lifting the cam housing without having to remove the cylinder head? those nuts at the rear close the barrel look like they will almost be impossible to get at otherwise?
 

Marcus Bowden

VOC Hon. Overseas Representative
VOC Member
That is why I think "A's" are an absolute abortion. Fascinating abortions, I must admit and a challenge to keep them oil tight, working on a BC or a D is so much easier, realising how practical the two PHILS were, can you get the head off while it's in the frame, I can just on the twin but engine has to come out to get the rear head off so find it easier to take the engine out to start with.
bananaman
 
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vibrac

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
That is why I think "A's" are an absolute abortion. Fascinating abortions, I must admit and a challenge to keep them oil tight, working on a BC or a D is so much easier, realising how practical the two PHILS were, can you get the head off while it's in the frame, I can just on the twin but engine has to come out to get the rear head off so find it easier to take the engine out to start with.
bananaman
Yeh well Marcus if it was easy to play with these old crocks we would not do it. I just got through 2 litres of water and 4 of petrol to travel 40 miles on my old Scott while the 1100 GS sits in the Garage its a funny hobby with the emphasis in fun
 

Marcus Bowden

VOC Hon. Overseas Representative
VOC Member
Is it fun or just shear determination to use what we've always had. I've borrowed bikes many times abroad and the ride is always a ride but just wish it was on my favorite bikes. Occasionally I visit Jenny Cliff Cafe' on the East side of Plymouth Sound where all the old has beans (farts) meet on a Tuesday morning, mostly dockyardies where I did my time) but am the only one still riding the same bike as I had when an apprentice. It's still capable of reaching any part of the country in the same time as a modern bike (without breaking the law) with a fuel return as good as a modern bike, do fancy fitting fuel injectors though
bananaman
 

Peter Holmes

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I am not sure what it is, I think my good friend Hugo Myatt got the closest to describing it when he made a wonderful speech at our wedding in Cornwall 12 years ago, I think he referred to it as a terrible affliction, an illness. If we simply enjoyed riding motorcycles I am sure we would ride something more modern and reliable, and something that did not need constant modifications to get rid inherent faults or deficiencies, I could start listing them, but it would be a long list. I was brought back down to earth whilst exchanging emails with a friend living in NZ, he was saying that having moved from Nelson to Invercargill he will have to start looking for some new friends and riding buddies, I said get yourself a Vincent and you would not be short of either, his reply was, I would have to be a bit bloody desperate to ride one of those things! No accounting for taste is there.
 

Marcus Bowden

VOC Hon. Overseas Representative
VOC Member
Hay boys we will be getting told off in a minute as we be going off subject, and this yer poor lad wants to fix his oil leak, stay on track please.
bananaman
 

vincenttwin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Undo the small cover plate and make certain the cam box and crankcase faces are flush , when you put the cam box on during a rebuilt you have to make certain they are flush before you tighten the cam box down.
 

Clay

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Hi John, Maybe a daft question but did the oil leak occur after a recent oil change or fill?
The reason I'm asking is that I had a similar leak which ended up being due to my own inexperience/stupidity. I changed the oil, poured in the new without particularly measuring it out and left it to settle. I checked it the next day and the oil in the small tank was really low so I topped it up again and let it settle. Next day it was down again so I topped it up again. What I didn't realise was that it was wet sumping and I had put far too much oil in and it leaked out from the same plate. Thought it worth mentioning just in case.
 
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