I have about 1500 miles on my rebuilt 425. Got in a wreck last fall so while the engine is out I thought I would try to fix the oil leaks. I just used the gaskets that came in the complete gasket set. On more popular cars I have used the new design molded silicone rubber gaskets with steel compression limiters to prevent over tightening. Has anyone saw these kind of gaskets for nailheads?
I have about 1 hour on my rebuilt 401. I used a supposedly top quality gasket kit ---- only to have the oil pan and valve cover gaskets leaking already
The valve cover gaskets are leaking also. I must of reused my original 401 gaskets 3 or 4 times with no leaks due to the nail heads layout. Not saying I shouldn't have changed them though which in the 80's they were cheap and had a complete factory gasket set for a 425 that I never got to rebuild.
I've never seen those type of gaskets for a Nail' . Given the design it shouldn't need them. My 112000 mile 401 leaks a drop or two from the rear main a month but that is it. I never use any type of RTV sealer with gaskets, but do use Permatex High Tack sealer as a glue to hold cork gaskets to the valley cover, valve cover, etc. I also tighten the 5/16-18 bolts to about 7 to 8 ft lbs. ...which seems to be just enough to do the job. I back off to 5 ft lbs for 1/4-20 bolts. This works well on the trans pan as well Be sure the sealing surfaces are flat and clean.
