On 2 Jan 2005 16:29:32 -0800, "Gene Seibel" wrote:

I have a 1966 Cherokee 180 with fixed pitch prop. I have noticed some
oil streaks on the back plate of the prop spinner, apparently seeping
out between the prop and flywheel. Anyone have an expereince with this?
Is there a plug in the front the hollow (I assume) crankshaft that
could be leaking? Is this a common problem? Thanks for any info.

As another poster indicated, it may be the forward crankcase seal
leaking.

If you have a hollow crank, there is indeed a plug smacked into the
forward end of it. Depending on your spinner installation, removing
the spinner may or may not make this plug (and the oil leak) visible.

If you have a solid crank, the inside of the crankshaft will be
visible as a machined recess that should have some turning marks
visible on the face.

If you have a "plug" it is a slighty cupped steel disc, placed into
the crank with the cupped side outward, and smacked with a drift to
flatten it out and drive the edges outward into the sides of the
recess in the crank.

Not sure anymore what Lycoming says to seal them with, we useta use
hard-setting Permatex. If they leak, you smack them in the center with
a bluntly pointed punch, turning the disc inside-out, and lever it out
with the punch. Clean up the recessed area, and poke in a new one.

TC