A bead of RTV around the Perimeter and Wooden Cloth Pins to hold Gasket in Place until RTV Sets. I use the same on Rocker Cover Gaskets.

  

The cork valley gasket that came on mine was leaking badly. I ordered a Best Gasket composite gasket and made sure the cover was reasonably straight/flat. I put a thin coat of RTV on both sides of the gasket and snugged the cover until all sides and corners were touching. After the RTV dried I turned the nuts another turn. 

valley pan,was most likely over tightened,i presed
 mine strait and reinforced front and rear. drilled and taped a 5/16 thread then tightened using a bridge, like the list clamp. tightened the original boys with new grommet(don't over do it.) 3 years on the engine no leaks

I drilled and tapped in 8 places around the perimeter also and used Black RTV.. No leaks after 8,000 miles..

I drilled and tapped for machine Screws around the Perimeter of the Valley Pan. No more Leaks.

  

On this subject. Is it recomended to use a sealent when installing the valley pan?  If so, which one?


Paul

one think you often see is people putting the heads on during a rebuild and put the valley cover on after.this was done on charles morriss y block book but you see it all the time.its also hard to keep the gasket in place.cant figure that one out.

Thanks Paul for that info..
   I did get the pan out... The guy who previously owned the engine must have had stock in an RTV company!!!!
Best
  

Generally, I have been able to remove the valley pan w/o removing a head.  What you have to do is make sure the pan is loose, and them move it to one side while pulling it up on the other side. After is clears, then push to the other side.   The thing that makes it harder is the splash pan attached to the bottom which limits upward movement when the pan is tilted..

Before reinstalling, I trimmed or removed most of the splash pan to give me more room to manuver.  The last few times I purchased Mummert's aluminum pan and they went on without the problem with the sides, but had to make a groove in the front for  thermostat housing  clearance.


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

thanks Charlie
   I get my sledge hammer!  hahaha
 I would really like to know what went on inside the head of some of these engineers?
But I always thought that Ford built cars and engines the average man could work on..
Best, and thanks again