Re: 1938 Super 8 1605 - adventures with a newbie

Posted by Tim Cole On 2020/1/26 6:35:46

The less gasket material between the block and the crankcase the better because thick material allows for flex between the block and crankcase during the power stroke. This will create vibration. The originals were very thin although a denser material. Ordinary craft paper will work.

If the gaskets are too small and don't line up they need to be soaked in water to expand them. As well they all need a sealer.

One problem I had with those gaskets was the oil drain holes missing which I had to punch through after assembly.

Making gaskets at home is a time honored practice, however, the people I was dealing with were always in such a hurry I bought the Max Merritt stuff to avoid confrontation.

Even considering that lab and dyno costs per hour are in the tens of thousands working in engineering is a lot less stressful than dealing with some of those old car crazies.

If you want to go first class you can add thin copper shim stock around the pressure bearing (read leak prone) areas like the cam follower housing oil feed holes, oil feed lines, and choke control on the earlier cars. This emulates original Packard practice. They used really fancy stuff on those motors.