I am building a 300 six. I pulled the timing cover off to check for proper oiling to the cam gear as i pressurized the oiling system prior to start. When i reinstalled the cover, i noticed it was leaking at the bottom of the cover (not at the front seal). It is a 1977 motor using the one piece pan gasket with the pan holes ground flat.
What should i use to "stick" the cover gasket to the cover when installing?
Will an early timing cover seal to the one piece pan gasket?
Other than a little dab in the corners, is any sealer needed between the cover and the pan?
What RTV shoul i use?
I am doing something wrong, just don't know what. Any ideas?
Many thanks to all,...jack

 

The timing cover attachment is often misunderstood. Most of the cover's attachment holes are intentionally over sized to allow the cover to "float around" a bit to bring it into alignment with both the crank snout and the oil pan/block rail surface. I think it is the lower two holes that are smaller than the rest. Begin with these two. I have found that the cover sealing surface should be placed in alignment with the lower edge of the block. This is easy to do when the engine is upside down on an engine stand; a bit tricky if you are trying to do it in situ. If you have to do it in the vehicle I would loosen the pan attachment bolts to make it easier to skooch the cover down into alignment with the block. Next I would use regular silicone gasket sealer on the joint between the cover and pan, but first trim the lower edge of the cover gasket so it is even with the lower edge of the block - the gasket is intentionally a little bit long to give a bit of interference fit to the older cork rail gaskets. Good luck with your project.

 

This seal is used only on the 4 piece pan set? I am using the one piece pan gasket. Thanks, guys

 

Yes - used on the 4-piece set only. It is the front cover seal. The cork sides dovetail into the notches on the end. Not needede w/ the one-piece.

 

Thanks, FTF. Your advice is very much appreciated.,...jack