Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

If the only difference is that one side has rounded edges from the stamping process, I don't think it makes any difference. As far as I know, if the mating surfaces are the same (e.g. both flat), the gasket orientation should not matter.

Flat down
Like a washer. Cut side down.

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Shoot, I put it the other way!
Oh well, worst that can happen is I have a ton of exhaust leaks and I get to take off and reinstall the manifold gaskets. I am not used to working on cars so taking off and reinstalling the exhaust manifolds was misersble. Using a torque wrench in those spaces is almost impossible. Lol!

What would you say the chances of things not going good are?

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So flat side facing exhaust manifold? That is facing down.

Some pics...

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The engines and transmissions were painted as a unit completely the same color less the rocker covers. Bolt on stuff like electrical, fan, oil filter, and some small items were semi gloss black. Without going back thru all the posts can't remember if this is the car with a replacement engine from a Clipper. Even so the blue engine color is wrong for a 55 400. Here is a bulletin mentioning models and colors if you wanted to do it correctly.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/STB/55T-33.pdf

The trans fill tube bracket was there from the factory but they did change tube and dipstick lengths early on so it could also be a dealer cobble or repair. With the various issues at Connor during 55 production an occasional rough weld is not uncommon.

Just to be clear, the valve covers (IIRC) were semigloss black on Clippers, and chrome on seniors.

So do you guys think I should undo the exhaust manifold and flip the gaskets? Putting the flat side towards the head and the side with more body towards the manifold? You can go to the 3rd page of this thread and you will see the original pics go the gaskets picture taken from both sides.

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No. 55 Clipper covers were black but smooth on top with a Clipper decal for identification. Packard covers were also black but the name Packard was embossed in the metal and letters painted a creme color. Whether the covers were gloss or semi gloss black is a question. I lean toward semi gloss for them but both have been seen in restored car photos. It is hard to tell in the black and white factory photos so it would take someone with a known original car in very good condition to say for sure.

Chrome covers were standard on the Caribbean and optional on other models. Not sure if they were sanctioned on the Clipper Deluxe but am sure a dealer would have sold them if a customer was buying.

Here is a rendering of the senior engine from a sales brochure. These images are notorious for being early production and sometimes show something not done on production cars. The illustrators take a lot of artistic license so use it as a guide not as proof.

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Thanks for the clarification. I've seen the chrome covers and thought they were standard.

As a side note, my car has "black" (rust with traces of black) colored valve covers (no script), but also my car's casting number is for a Senior engine. So who knows for mine.

I would guess that they would go with semi-gloss because gloss would show dirt too easily.