crshowers Posted July 29, 2024 Share #1 Posted July 29, 2024 My 73 original engine that was torn down and re-built. It has been driven 800 miles since the re-built. I noticed soon after getting it back on the road that the oil pan gasket was leaking slowly. I decided to replace it today and discovered metal shavings in the bottom of the oil pan. The attached (no magnification)picture shows the shavings that I captured in a piece of foam filter material. Most of the shavings I picked off the bottom of the pan and placed on the filtering material. I checked the savings with a magnet and they are non-ferrous metal shavings. I am hoping that this forum has a motor rebuilder who can advise me on what my next steps should be. Could this be fragments from the rebuild? What parts of motor are non-ferrous? My engine builder has since past away so I am in need of some direction. Below is my rebuild album (could not remove from this post). Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted July 29, 2024 Share #2 Posted July 29, 2024 I suggest you pull the oil filter and open it, too. This is not a good sign. 2 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667741 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patcon Posted July 29, 2024 Share #3 Posted July 29, 2024 Bearings are usually non ferrous. I agree, debris in the pan at 800 miles isn't a good sign. I would change the oil on a shorter interval for the next couple of changes and cut the oil filter open too to see if the engine continues to make debris. Maybe it was just an anomily Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zed Head Posted July 30, 2024 Share #4 Posted July 30, 2024 A coin in the picture would give a size reference. Magnified or not. Might just be old shavings from before. You might check your oil pickup tube screen also. If you haven't already. And, if you're still worried check the oil pump for damage. If there's stuff in the filter it passed through the pump. 1 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667747 Share on other sites More sharing options...
crshowers Posted July 30, 2024 Author Share #5 Posted July 30, 2024 I knew I went to the best place to get Help. All suggestions are great. Will have an update tomorrow. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667751 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyknot Posted July 30, 2024 Share #6 Posted July 30, 2024 Here is a common cause of aluminum shavings in the pan, a bolt that is too long for the job is used to secure the thermostat housing. It makes contact with the back of the chain guide and if the bolt is long enough can bend the chain guide and and force the chain to eat into the top of the guide. These pics were taken of an freshly rebuilt L28 with perhaps and hour running time on it. 2 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667762 Share on other sites More sharing options...
crshowers Posted July 30, 2024 Author Share #7 Posted July 30, 2024 This is a high probability, I will pull the housing and check the bolt. Thank You Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667764 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Obvious Posted July 30, 2024 Share #8 Posted July 30, 2024 42 minutes ago, crshowers said: I will pull the housing and check the bolt. If it's not to late... Don't pull the housing. If you have concerns about this being the issue, pull the valve cover and look down along the back side of the chain guide and see if the tip of the bolt is pushing against it. I wouldn't mess with the thermostat housing if you don't have to. They're too prone to leaks to mess with unless you really have a compelling reason to do so. And besides........ The chain guide backing plate is steel, not aluminum. If the stuff you found in the pan is non-ferrous, then it's not the metal from the chain guide. 1 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667765 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Obvious Posted July 30, 2024 Share #9 Posted July 30, 2024 I would back up a little and ask some questions: Are you double dog sure the oil pan was free of debris after your recent rebuild? Maybe those fragments are chips that have been in there from before the rebuild. Did you have the head cut? Maybe those fragments are chips that weren't properly cleaned off the head after that process. Are you sure the fragments are metal? Maybe chips from an old head gasket being cleaned off the block or head? Or valve cover gasket even. Some of those have a metal core. While you had the oil pan off, did you take a look at the thrust bearing on the center main? How is the oil pressure? How does the engine sound and run? Any reason to believe there's something wrong inside? I'm not yet ready to jump to the conclusion that there's anything seriously wrong. 1 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted July 30, 2024 Share #10 Posted July 30, 2024 To piggyback on @Captain Obvious's reply, look for debris on top of the head and any signs of scratches on the camshaft when you have the valve cover off. Like @Patcon, I was thinking bearings. I've been regularly watching the engine teardowns on the YouTube channel I Do Cars. When I saw the photo, I just heard the host of that channel saying, "Forbidden glitter". That's his phrase for finding the remnants of chewed up bearings. With the pan off, did you happen to check the rods for play? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667767 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zed Head Posted July 30, 2024 Share #11 Posted July 30, 2024 (edited) 17 hours ago, crshowers said: My engine builder has since past away This is all "after the fact" detective work. I don't think that crshowers saw the inside of the engine before it was buttoned up. The stuff on the bottom of the oil pan might tell more than the stuff on the piece of foam filter. SteveJ's forbidden glitter would be there. . . Edited July 30, 2024 by Zed Head trying to make more sense Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667768 Share on other sites More sharing options...
crshowers Posted July 30, 2024 Author Share #12 Posted July 30, 2024 Grannyknot I am feeling pretty confident that you nailed my problem. I removed the bolt and the end of the bolt is worn down at an angle. The angle part is shiny. See 2nd pic.(2.5 mag.) Pic below shows the size of shavings compared to a dime. There were no shavings in the oil pump screen. I also cut the oil filter open and found no shavings. Do you think if I grind the bolt down by a 1/4" I will be good to go? Thank You to all who replied to my Help request. Its comforting to know that a great group of Z club people are standing by to help. 1 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/69061-how-much-is-too-much-metal-shavings-in-oil-pan/#findComment-667772 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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