I am getting ready to button up an engine.  If the bottom of the oil pan gasket beneath the timing cover has sealant put on, and the top only white grease,  removal of the timing cover in the future should be possible without ruining the pan gasket.  But how leaky will it be?

Mike 

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

You should have no problems with it leaking. A little sealer of some type on the top of the pan gasket will work fine. Some aftermarket timing cover gasket sets come with that part of the pan gasket so you can just trim that part off and install the new one.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

This is one of those things that some years ago wouldnt have seemed an issue.  But three times I've needed to remove the tming cover and have not succeeded without dropping the pan.  Yesterday with engine on stand tried again just for curiosity (pan needed removal to check bearings anyway).  Nope, tore up the front of the pan gasket.

With a stock timing set going in, it is going to need changed, maybe around 30,000 mi..  Looking ahead .

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

While I never tried this, maybe using an exacto or similar hobby knife slid down between the cover and the block and slicing the gasket would enable you to save the gasket.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

NAPA part # FPG TCS106773 for  front cover gasket set includes the front part of the oil pan gasket. Cut the old front part of the gasket off flush with the block and install the new oil pan gasket section. A little silicone at the junction of the pan and block will seal everything up.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

yep. just like an FE!

This ain't no L-Kamino!

Thankyou lowrider.  I'll go into town and order today.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.