Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I replaced the front valve cover gasket on my '49 Custom 8, 356 and it leaks worse than the old one which had a crack in it. At first I installed it with just enough TiteSeal to keep in in place on the cover. When I discovered it leaking I took it off and put TiteSeal on the other side and it's still leaking, I can see little puddles in the recesses of the oil pump, which is just below the cover. What am I doing wrong?

The most common technique is to use a gasket shellac to affix the gasket to the cover, and then a light coating of grease or oil on the other surface. However this really shouldn't be critical to getting a leak-proof installation.

You might remove the gasket and do a "dry" fit against the block, attempting to "rock" the cover back and forth and up and down to see if perhaps the cover has been warped by overtightening in the past. Also, are you sure the new leak is not leaking from the retainer bolts which IIRC should have a soft copper gasket beneath the head?

PS, while the cover is off, make sure the oil return drain holes to the oil pan are not restricted.