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1. Oil at the front of the oil pan/ timing chain cover. It seems it comes from the centre of the timing cover… I think. So not the gasket that’s between the cover and the block.
2. Oil at the rear of RH valve cover. (finned aluminum L82 covers with just a fel-pro cork gasket). The oil drips off (a little) at the engine oil pan at the RH.
3. Coolant (little) leak at the waterneck. Chrome Mr.Gasket neck with bottom sanded flat and a blue paper gasket from Fel-pro. (I’m using a Performer 2101 intake.)
Should I let it leak and just wipe it off from day to day?
COOLANT LEAK....use a fine-cut wide flat file to re-surface/remove defects-high spots from sealing area before installing a new gasket on the intake manifold. Do the same method to the base of the neck.
If you are using a "Paper gasket"-put gasket sealer on both sides of gasket and install neck...let it cure for several hours before refilling with coolant
TIMING COVER LEAK... make SURE it is the timing cover crankshaft seal leaking. If so, remove the harmonic balance and check for deep wear marks where the seal rides in the hub. IF there is a deep groove, you can buy a repair sleeve to install over the worn hub. Also install a new timing cover seal no matter what shape the hub sealing area is in. Use gasket sealer on the area the seal area where it fits into the timing cover. You may be able to do this repair without removing the entire timing cover.
VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK...there is a recent thread about valve cover leaks that has very good info.
Because you are overseas you may not have access to some Permatex products, but,
they make a sealant just for those thermostat housings. Permatex Water Pump & Waterneck RTV. Small white squeeze tube, maybe $9 around here at AutoZone. (Europe Amazon?)
What makes it special? Its Glycol Proof. Not all Permatex RTVs are.
Excellent choice for your waterneck gasket. Even though its silicone, please still use the sealant too. Mr. Gasket makes a similar in orange.
They can be used over & over.
A somewhat common reason for those necks to leak is, the wrong bolts. Install both special bolts w/o the housing. Snug them down. Now slide the housing over to the bolt heads. The bolt heads should be lower than the shoulder of the bolt boss. Otherwise the bolts will bottom-out in the blind hole and NEVER fasten down..
Very pricey for those V Cover gaskets. Some people swear by them. Others swear at them if they still leak.
FelPro makes a rubber / cork composite gasket a lot cheaper. I have very good luck with them. "Glue" them to the V.C. only.
Timing Cover Seal as you know will require removal of fan, belts, waterpump, balancer, drop the pan, etc. There is a tool that will "pull" the seal still on the car.
But to install the new seal may risk damage to the cover. They are usually tapped in, on a workbench with a gentle hammer and wood behind it.
Just curious. What century are those sparkplugs from?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Apr 23, 2025 at 08:04 PM.
Because you are overseas you may not have access to some Permatex products, but,
they make a sealant just for those thermostat housings. Permatex Water Pump & Waterneck RTV. Small white squeeze tube, maybe $9 around here at AutoZone. (Europe Amazon?)
What makes it special? Its Glycol Proof. Not all Permatex RTVs are.
Excellent choice for your waterneck gasket.
Just curious. What century are those sparkplugs from?
I put some Permatex Water Pump sealant on the gasket before I installed them about 4 years ago. It didn't help the leak. (It's that very small tube.)
I will take a look at the bolts as you discribed.
I replaced my spark plugs about 6-7 years ago. So the 21st century.
They all have a little surface rust, but not very bad. The metal didn't have any surface protection of some sort. Do they have to be?
They are AC Delco ones. I forgot the number, but they are for a Corvette C3 (SBC 350).
Timing Cover Seal as you know will require removal of fan, belts, waterpump, balancer, drop the pan, etc. There is a tool that will "pull" the seal still on the car.
But to install the new seal may risk damage to the cover. They are usually tapped in, on a workbench with a gentle hammer and wood behind it.
Do you know the Fel-pro part/kit for the cover and seal?
My timing cover is the OEM cover.
Three small leaks...
