MG T-ABC

My engine is new with about 125 miles on it. I have an oil leak from the bolts that are in the boss that are on the left side of the engine (distributor side) these are plugs for the oil line that runs the length of the engine. There are two bolts in the front, two between the oil pump and dizzy and of course the last one is where the oil guage attaches. The bottom ones started to leak profusely for no reason. What I have done is this. I backed off each bolt about two turns. Took some cotton string coated with permatex and wound it around the bolt just under the head of the bolt. Tightened it up and so far it is holding. Has anyone else ever had this problem? It was oozing out of there pretty good and covering the garage floor. Did someone leave out a gasket or somethig? Anyone any ideas????? Thanx

I installed those plugs with Permatex Aviation sealer. It's a gooey black sealer that never hardens. They haven't leaked a drop since the rebuild several thousand miles ago. Other areas of the engine aren't so dry of course...

Whatever you do to solve this problem, make sure that the plugs will not back out, for if they do, your engine will lose all of it's oil in short order.

Are not these tapered pipe threads? I wonder how the factory sealed the threads?

I believe the original bolts had a short unthreaded shank which allowed the bolt to both seal and lock itself when screwed in due to the interference fit.