MTFCA Forum

Has anyone considered installing a removable plug in the timing cover that could easily permit cleaning out the original oil line with compressed air or a small wire as regular preventive maintenance?

Using the oil filter under the transmission cover helps stop a lot of the lint getting recirculated in the oil. I use them in my T’s and it’s one of the better accessories that really works.
Don’t know though if any one has tried to come up with a way to access the oil line through the timing gear cover. If it’s been done I think most T owners would know about it.

The timing gear is in the way of using plug for access.

Back in the day you could get a plug that went on the hogs head so you could access it. There was a fitting you could place in line with it that came out on the carb side which would allow you to blow it out. If you have an original cam gear, the plug on the cover would work.

Quickest access to the internal oil line is to remove the crankcase pan lower cover. Slip a flexible plastic or rubber tube over the end of the line and use compressed air to blow out the blockage. Also a good time to clean the pan cover, sludge tends to collect there.

I use a piece of 1/4” copper tubing with about a 1.5” radius 180 degree bend at the end. I have an old hood release cable (1/16” wire rope) that is frayed a bit on the end. The cable is inserted into the copper and then the copper tube can be held to line up with the front end of the oil line so the cable can be inserted and pushed all the way thru the oil line. You can feel when it makes the bend before the scoop. The loose end of the cable can be chucked in a power drill to carefully and slowly “ream & scrub” the inside of the oil line. This is all done from under the vehicle thru the engine inspection pan.

As an "aside" to this subject (for what it's worth) I think one of the most important advantages of wood band linings is that wood eliminates the lint that occurs with woven band linings!