My valley pan is leaking all around on my 272. I've been reading and see that some have drilled/tapped for perimeter bolts. Is this the only way to get a good seal? I haven't taken the pan off to see the lip it sits on and wonder if there is sufficient material on the block lip. Any precautions to take would be appreciated. Also, what is the best gasket to use, cork or rubber? Thanks, Gene
 

I did mine. Drilled and tapped one at each end and 2-3 on each side. Lots of block to drill. A good Quality Drill Bit has no problem drilling Cast Iron. Taps easily. Set the Pan in place with bolts holding it and drill Pan, Gasket,  and Block. There's a couple of narrow sections of the Block. You don't drill there. Once You do this it will never Leak. Doesn't matter which Gasket You use. It was much easier than I thought it would be. Its probably the best Solution. Over the Years People tend to over tighten the Bolts lifting the Edge and distorting the Pan. Not a very good Design with the hold down Bolts in the Center only.

  

I use the Best Gasket ‘black’ fibre material gasket for the valley pan.  To help the seal when using the factory tin valley cover, I’ll put a 1/16” bead of RTV on both sides of the valley pan gasket.  Tightening the cover so that the RTV barely pushes out prevents the oem cover from distorting enough to create leaks at the corners.  As mentioned, over-tightening the two valley bolts tends to distort the cover.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

.Another solution is Mummert's aluminum valley cover.  I very nice unit and can be painted to match the engine


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I agree with Paul get John M, valley cover then you can use a PCV valve, I have one installed have no problems.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have intake and valley pan gaskets coming, Best Gasket brand. When they get here I'll try to determine if my pan is warped and go from there. Without having it torn down, I was concerned about how much block there is to catch if I need to drill/tap for screws. The cork gasket on it now is leaking badly at the rear and running down behind the heads. I want to make sure I don't have to go back into it again for a gasket leak. 

I used neoprene valley and rocker cover gaskets and never had a problem.