Speaking of modern oil seals

[Steve Bryant]

Since modern lip type oil seals seem to be the upgrade of choice for keeping the oil on the inside of ones engine, I am wondering if there is a way to put a modern lip seal in the camshaft / pulley hole in the front nose extension housing instead of the felt seal ?

Has anybody done a successful installation on this part of the engine?
Thanks.
Stephen

[John Mason]

Hi Stephen, My 1935 Ruby has a black rubber type oil seal on the nose cone for the camshaft and it works well. It is not exactly like a modern type lip seal but works in the same way. I unfortunately don’t know what it’s number etc is as it was already fitted when I bought the car some 20 years ago and at that time not knowing much about sevens I thought that’s how they came from the factory. Just to add to the seals description it fits like a large rubber grommet. It may even be a modified grommet that pushes up against the front camshaft bearing.

John Mason

[Steve Bryant]

The front nose piece has a steel insert where the cam shaft exits the housing. Can this steel insert be safely removed from the housing without damage?  If so I could do this and insert another steel insert machined to hold a lip seal.
Cheers,
Stephen

[John Mason]

Stephen, I cannot recall how my rubber seal is fitted (I am now only partially sighted so now cannot see it at all) Will the steel inset in yours push out with a punch or press if you warm up the ally nosepiece first.

John Mason aka Blind Pew

[Colin Wilks]

Have you got an oil thrower fitted? This is one bit of my engine that doesn't leak!

[Steve Bryant]

Yes Colin,
I have the oil thrower and all the associated parts but I wanted to see if this felt seal could also be up graded to a lip type.
Cheers, Stephen