1981 4.9 Liter Straight-6 Oil leak
 

Well I picked up an awesome 30 year old truck. There is a plate on the drivers side of engine-block just underneath the sparkplugs, and after isolating my oil leak to that gasket, I cannot find any information about what that plate covers and tightening specifications.

What is that cover/gasket called?

There are six bolts with rubber gaskets holding it to the engine block.

Should I replace the rubber gaskets too?

Could you snap a picture of it?

Your not talking about the valve cover are you?

That's the pushrod cover, although I've also heard it referred to as a 'sideplate'. Mine's leaking oil from there as well - I haven't fixed it yet, but I did buy a new gasket from NAPA, and it came with the little rubber grommets/gaskets you mentioned. I might do it this weekend, since it's supposed to reach 60 degrees here.

I belive the name is: push rod cover, and the gasket replacement is a kit that includes the bolt gaskets. I had replaced mine with a Felpro kit I got at a local auto parts store. I used a bit of grease to hold the rubber gasket in place on the cover as it was repositioned on the block. Leak solved!

Good Luck!
HARFEND

Thanks Guys
 

Man I knew this site would be badass, thanks for the heads up, Im fixin it tonight if at all possible.