The 'E' Type Forum

Just to pick people's brains and hopefully confirm my thoughts.

As it was a wet and windy weekend, I was working on my 4.2 spare engine and going through some parts. I have a spare E type finned alloy sump, but looking at the sump's rear sealing surface where it mounts up to the crankshaft rear seal cover assembly containing the rope seal, the sump has no recessed sealing area to take a rubber seal, just a smooth semi circular surface.

Am I correct this is an early 3.8 E type sump which would use a different crankshaft seal cover assembly to the 4.2 one, (C19687) ? so that the 3.8 cover assembly would incorporate a groove to locate a seal, (rubber or cork ?). Any idea of part number ? I presume there would be other XK engines that would need a such grooved cover assembly - such a cars with tin sumps ?

If I am correct with the above, would the 3.8 cover assembly be compatable to fit the 4.2 crank, albeit going through the nausea of fitting the rope seal correctly, or would it be easier to modify the alloy sump sealing area to incorporate a suitable seal ? Or just offload the 3.8 ? sump ?

regards,

Dave
S1 FHC 4.2

I am surprised I have stumped the E type fraternity into silence !!

Here is the issue. First photo shows the E type sump in question. the second shows the "normal" sealing arrangements on a later sump, (this one is a winged 420 alloy sump).

Perhaps the crankshaft rear seal retainer assemblies are the same on 3.8 and 4.2 engines, but just that the 3.8 uses a cork gasket which is somehow clamped in between the sump and retainer to provide the seal, but without the security of the locating edges moulded into the sump - such as on the later rubber seal below ?

regards,

Dave

Hi Dave
I've used both types on 4.2l engines. I don't know what series each is off of, but the difference is the seal used. On the grooved sump it is the black rubber seal - on the smooth one it's a thick cork seal that usually comes with a bottom end gasket kit. I don't recall that there is any difference in the crankshaft seal assembly/holder that bolts around the crankshaft.

I should add that the crank seal has a grooved area to fit the cork seal into - actually glue it onto. I think this area will accomodate the black rubber seal. I've done so many engines that I'm sorry I just can't completly recall.