Dropping the Pan Part 3- Oil Pump and Valve Cover

[sethkestenbaum]

The weekend adventure continues with the next installation of my adventure in dropping the oil pan. I've just posted an update to my blog showing my cleaning/testing the oil pump and removing the valve cover.

I'm a little confused on how the oil pump spring was previously attached to the oil pan (it wasn't attached to the oil pump as likely it should have been). I am also concerned about all the gunk in the valve chamber that needs to be cleaned out tomorrow.

http://oldcarroadtrip.wordpress.com/...3/oh-the-gunk/

more to follow this weekend. Ahooga!

[sethkestenbaum]

I didn't get to check the bearing clearances, but the pan is clean, the pump is back in, the valve chamber is cleaned, and the silicon is setting/curing. Next week I will fill her with oil and get her back on the road.

http://oldcarroadtrip.wordpress.com/...ising-the-pan/

[gweilbaker]

Just a word of caution about the sealer, use it sparingly, from your pictures there is too much squeeze out. Globs silicon, if that what it is, when exposed to oil tends to break off and plug critical passages. It does look nice and you're learning a lot.

[Mitch//pa]

everyone has there own methods and some do use silicone. personally i put the oil and valve gaskets on DRY except for the 4 corners of the oil pan where the gasket meets the lips i use a little silicone. did you silicone the pan gasket to the block and let it dry before installing the pan? thats a nono.
i use a little weatherstrip adhesive in a spray can (not the yellow snot) to hold the gasket up to the block. if you do use silicone use very little as it will get in the motor and look like hell...
if it was me i would start over with the valve cover and pan

[James Rogers]

I'm like Mitch and use silicone very sparingly. I put some at the corners of the pan and a little on the cork at the rear. The total I use is less than you have squeezed out on the front of the valve cover and that's in the whole set of gaskets in a whole motor. Your engine, you do it as you see fit but engine builders curse engines that come in with that much silicone or indian head gasket sealer because it is so hard to remove. Builders praise it because it destroys engines by getting into places it shouldn't and killing bearings and pumps.

Just a little advice that is too late to help.

[sethkestenbaum]

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Wow... So close but so far from having done it right. I'll be ordering some new gaskets. I guess the good news is that the part I goofed up is the part that is easiest to see.

[columbiA]

The amount of silicone on the valve cover is enough to do all the paper gaskets 0n 3 or 4 engines & still have some left over!If you use it,use it sparingly.I use a thin smear of grease on gaskets & a little dab of Permatex in the pan corners.Excess silicone will find its way into oil tubes etc.

[sethkestenbaum]

.... And let that be a lesson for me. Gaskets will be ordered and I will likely be redoing the valve cover and oil pan. I've even updated the blog.

[Tom Wesenberg]

You might be able to pull and rub off the excess silicone and save the gaskets.

[sethkestenbaum]

i've pulled the valve cover and cleaned it (and the engine). I am now looking at my options for putting it back on. I've had heard several suggestions ranging from:

1) "leave it as is" it is fine,
2) "dry gasket" is the way to go,
3) sparingly use gasket sealant but only on the cover side and leave the engine side dry,
4) sparingly use gasket sealant on both gasket and engine side

Ok, which is it? The valve cover goes back on TODAY.

Seth

[CarlG]

Using the cork gasket I got from Snyders, I lightly coat both sides with lithium grease. Only torque it to about 5-6 ft lbs not 20 like Andrews book calls for.

[James Rogers]

Carl is correct for the cork gasket. If you use the paper gasket, use it dry.

[sethkestenbaum]

I am using the paper gasket

[sethkestenbaum]

The car is off the stands and running. I took her out for a 2 mile ride and figured I would get her warm, then let her cool off. I may go for another ride later to heat up the engine a little. THanks for all the private emails with help and insight.