Is there supposed to be a gasket in my gasket set for the valley pan? Not sure if there's supposed to be one between the top of the block and pan. Also, I read somewhere that there's no gasket between the exhaust manifold and the head. True?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Valley pan gasket, yes. Exhaust manifold gaskets, no, although some owners have installed them. No exhaust manifold gaskets were used when new. 

Milling the warped head/manifold surfaces is so much trouble, many just install gaskets instead.  Exercising caution (manifold ears can crack) and just snugging the bolts (I use the ‘locking’ type) generally works fine.
P.S. Many valley pan have been severely warped from over tightening, so some just use a thick bead of RTV instead of a gasket.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I agree - always use gaskets.  Bolt down the manifolds just like a head - start in the middle, go to the ends, all in stages.  No broken manifolds.  I use regular bolts.




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

Thanks y'all. Valley pan gasket was in the set after all. Another question..... Do the valve covers get hot enough to need hi temp paint?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

I don't take the chance - I use high temp paint




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

I don’t know what colors the Lincoln engines were but steel rocker covers will be fine with catalyst style paint. Eastwood sells some colors I think that mix in the can for the best. Rattle can engine paint claims 500 degrees and I’m sure your covers won’t see that. What ever you do is the longer they can dry or cure before you use them the better. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.