Triumph Repair: oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, pan gasket

Question
Jim:

I very much appreciate all the help you've been as I restore my 65 Spitfire.  I'm about to remove the oil sump and replace the gasket and I would like to know if I need to apply sealant (form-a-gasket, etc.) as well as a new gasket when I re-install the sump.

Also, I will probably replace the valve cover gasket soon.  Do I need any advice there or is it pretty much a matter of taking it off and putting it back on.

Jeff  

Answer
Jeff,

Yes, it'll help keep your garage floor clean (and your rides uneventful) if you properly glue the oil pan to the block.  

Permatex used to sell Hylomar, it's a light blue gasket sealer that doesn't harden but stays tacky.  If you're lucky the local retailers may still have some on the shelf.

If not, the other form-a-gasket sealants are ok too.  Just be sure to clean the surfaces carefully, apply them sparingly, and allow them time to set up properly before adding oil.  RTV is a good sealant but I've seen people glop in on... then the excess breaks off and blocks a critical passage.

What seems to work for the valve cover gasket is to apply sealant to the valve cover side and glue the gasket to the cover... but leave the cylinder head side "dry".  That way when you need to do things like adjust the valves you won't have to destroy the gasket to get the valve cover off.

Alternatively you can "glue" the gasket to the head and have it act like a dam to hold the oil back.  I seem to have worse luck with oil working past the valve cover when I do that but you may have better luck.


Cheers,

Jim