No exh gaskets - does this mean never been into?


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By 1930artdeco - 4 Years Ago
Hi All,

I read here someplace that the Y-blocks left the factory without exhaust manifold gaskets as they were planed flat there. Well the '312' that I just picked up does not have any exh. manifold gaskets. So I am hoping that the engine has never been opened up. Is there anything else I can look for on the outside to verify this? 

Thanks,

Mike
By Ted - 4 Years Ago
Another clue as to whether an engine has been into without actually taking off the heads or the oil pan is to look at the head gaskets as they sit exposed at the top front corners of the decks.  While those exposed ‘tabs’ on the gaskets are there to let you know if the head gaskets are installed correctly, the style or composition of the gasket is also exposed.  If those tabs are composition or multi-layer, then the heads have at least been off in the past.  Steel shim gaskets were originally installed and if steel shim gaskets are still on the engine rather than composition gaskets, then there’s always the chance the heads have never been off the engine.
By 1930artdeco - 4 Years Ago
Thanks Ted,

I will look for some steel tabs tomorrow-here is to hoping!

Mike
By 1930artdeco - 4 Years Ago
I looked and what I saw were little steel tabs sticking out from under the heads. So I am hoping she has never been opened up and is all original. That being said, she was puking a lot of oil as the left side is covered in black sludge/grease/oil. I looked at a piston top and saw white/brown, kind of like it was corroded aluminum that sat outside for awhile. So I think if nothing else the heads will go in, I will check the bearings and if good button her back up. If she is original, do I need to replace the rear rope seal-due to being dried out possibly?

Mike
By Ted - 4 Years Ago
1930artdeco (6/23/2021)
So I think if nothing else the heads will go in, I will check the bearings and if good button her back up. If she is original, do I need to replace the rear rope seal-due to being dried out possibly?
Mike

If it looks like there has been oil leaking at the rear of the engine, then it would be a definite ‘Yes’ in changing out the rear main seal.  If you are already going to be checking for bearing wear, then changing out the rear seal now would be the prudent thing to do.  It’s definitely easier to change that seal now rather than later after the engine has been installed in the chassis.  I’ll suggest going with a neoprene seal rather than a rope seal.
By 1930artdeco - 4 Years Ago
Thanks Ted, I am trying to get the original flex plate off as those bolts bolts are on there really really tight. My impact gun didn't even budge one of them! I just want to make sure that, that is where the oil is coming from vs. someplace else and migrating. Now where do I get the neoprene seal?

Mike
By Ted - 4 Years Ago
1930artdeco (7/5/2021)
Now where do I get the neoprene seal?

‘Best Gasket’ offers a neoprene rear seal for the Ford 312 engines.  The ‘Best Gasket’ part number for that seal is 3A52.