The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 Side Cover Gasket

Replacing the side cover gasket on my '50 216. Think that I'll glue the gasket to the cover and glue the cork gaskets for the spark plug holes to the cover also. Anyone have any advise???? Thanks Don

You will probably get lots of advice. Everyone has there way of doing it. I don't use any glue or sealants. If the metal is straight and flat the cork gaskets will seal just fine. And the next time the cover comes off no mess to clean up. My opinion only.
Cleon

I used a tack spray on those gaskets. Holds well and cleans up with thinner.

You can keep the gasket in place by tying it to the side panel with sewing thread. Once the bolts are started, remove the thread.

When I ripped into my own 216 the old gasket was tied with small thread like rickmg describes. I would guess they were done that way from the factory. The thread was still in place. I have pictures but have never really mastered posting them...
Karl

I glue them to the panel & put a layer of RTV on the lower part.

What wrenchbender says. Hopefully you won't have to take them off soon but I have found that cementing them to the cover the cover will come off with the gasket in tack and can be reused....most of the time anyway.

I guarantee you the factory did not tie the gaskets with thread.
Cleon

When I did the side gasket on the 216 I used the cork gasket along with RTV like mentioned above. Infact, I did the same thing on the 261 I have currently in my truck, and haven't had any problems. Jeff

I glue the gasket to the side cover with RTV, so when the time comes, the gasket is easy to remove from the cover. On the engine side of the gasket, I smear a light coat of grease, so the gasket won't stick to the block when I remove the cover from the block.

I have nothing against learning new old working methods from more experienced mechanics. That is why I was fascinated when I found my old valve cover gasket tied in place with thread though all the upper screw holes and several of the others too. This was on a 216 from 1941. Maybe this was not done from the factory - I wasn't there. But in that case it was done in the late 40's or 50's. The car has been in the family since new and I believe we would have known about any valve work done later. It isn't really important, but it would work to keep the gasket in place during assembly without gluing it. How long has gasket sealer been an essential part of engine work? These days I would choose the glue, too.

I'm not getting the link to work in any polished way, so check out : http://www.nelsonorgel.se/bild/truck/cover1.JPG

This method worked well for me.

i just cut the heads off 4 2in. bolts and screwed them into the holes and slid the gasket, then the cover on and replaced them one at a time with the bolts

The last method by hoozat has the added advantage of locating and holding the metal in place too.

That's the way I located and attached the push rod cover and gasket on my '54 235.

Check the bolt holes to make sure that old RTV or silicone has not built up inside to prevent the cover bolts from fully seating. Do a test run before adding sealant to make sure that there is space to hang the cover over the headless bolts and that you can get to them easily.

I used Permatex Super 300 on both sides as Jerry "Hotrod Lincoln" suggested to me.

- Lonnie

Just installed new gaskets on my old 235 high torque, tall side cover also like the 216. Glued the gasket to the cover first using Permatex #2, held in place with a bunch of clothes pins until dry. Then more #2 to side of motor, no leaks.