[TR] Rear oil leak - is this a first?

[Bob Nogueira]

John, I'd be willing to bet that there are a lot of TR rear seals being
blamed when in fact it is this plug. 
First it is installed just like a freeze plug, nothing mechanical holding it
in place. Second, when installing the cam, if you allow the cam to travel
too far back before installing the timing chain sprocket it can hit the plug
knocking it loose. 

Also back there is the aluminum oil galley plug which, thankfully, screws
in. If the block is hot tanked before rebuilding, the plug is eaten away
from the inside of the block with no sign from the outside. 

The sad thing is you rarely read about these plugs in manuals. 

Bob  (Educated the hard way!)    

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> Dear all - having stripped all in preparation for TR2 engine 
> removal to deal with my rear crank oil leak, I decided to 
> remove the clutch inspection plate to make sure of the source 
> before all that heaving out. As I removed the plate, what 
> should fall out but a large core plug, I am guessing the one 
> from the rear of the camshaft. Is it likely THIS is actually 
> the source of my woes, and has anybody come across this 
> before? I guess I will still have to remove the engine, but 
> should I now leave the crank seal alone? Regards John
> 
>