Ok this one is pissing me off, don't turn off this thread just because its about a Spider! It applies to all cars with a distributer, I think.

What happens is that at 70, in 5th ( 4000 rpm ) you put your foot down and oil leaks from somewhere just underneath the distributer cap and drops onto the outlet manifold, vapourises and drops smoke all over. If I exceed 4000rpm in 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st it doesnt do it. So I guess its oil pressure related ( duh ) and something is breaking some seal. Its hard to look under the bonnet at 80mph...

Now Ive noticed theres a bolt underneath the distributer that wasnt that tight in the first place, Ive tightened it a little, but I still think maybe Im overlooking something obvious, like a rubber seal or ring, or maybe oil shouldn't be flooding up there in the first place?!?

Anyone got any tips for nailing what is happening and sealing it?
Dave.

I used to have a similar problem years ago on a 127 1050. Turns out I had overfilled the oil (OK, I was 17 and didn't think about the fact it was on a slope! ) and each time I put the engine under load it would leak out of the head gasket.

Luckily, once the oil level had stabilised the car was fine.

There might be a worn O-ring at the distributor, making oil come in through the dog (I've learnt it's called the "dog", don't ask me why) of the distributor. I don't know how the distributor is linked (directly to a cam?) on this car, but on my old distributor this O-ring was worn causing oil to enter the distributor.

How many times have I written "distributor" now???

And - check the oil breather. If this is clogged, the pressure MUST come out somewhere else - usually through the dipstick, making oil squirt onto the manifold making the car catch fire................... Check it out.

Morten.

Interestingly the distributer is over the exhaust manifold meaning it could catch fire, I think the o-ring is the best guess and Im ordering another one today!

Cheers folks

Dave.