My T-Bird was delivered in Friday, and as the guy was unloading it out of the trailer he noticed some oil on the trailer floor.  I didn't get to see how much was there.  I drove it around the block and put it in the garage.  Later, I noticed that there was some oil on the garage floor.  I put a pan under it, and didn't think alot about it.  My Stepmother (the previous owner) said that it leaked a little oil.  I did notice some oil collected on the intake manifold.  just out of curiosity, I checked on of the rocker cover nuts on the drivers side and found it finger tight.  I gave it about 3/4 of a turn with a wrench, and made sure the other s were about as tight.  I did not musscle up on them at all.  I knew with only 2 per cover, it wasn't designed fir much preasure.  I took the car out for another ride (about 3 miles) and on the way home I noticed some smoke coming from under the hood on the passengers side.  Oil had managed to splash or drip on to the butterfly valve, where the exhaust manifold connects to the exhaust pipe.  The garage floor ended up with a spot of oil amost the size of a paper plate. What is the procedure for tightening the rocker cover nuts ?  How tight should they be ?  is there something I can add to the oil to help seal things up.  I don't want to throw some snake oil in there and do damage to the engine.

Any advice, tips, tricks or pointers would be much appreciated.  I've had this car 48 hours, and I think the honeymoon is over.  That was quick.

Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland

Before cranking down the two valve cover hold down nuts, I would try to locate the source of the leak. Simple green cleaner, water, & a brush to clean her up. Could be as easy as needing new valve cover gaskets. Could be leaking elsewhere. Common to leak from the rear main seal, pan, or tranny too. She's 50+ years old, so bound to leak some.

Brian - 56 T-Bird

Woodinville WA

As far as the oil leaks you need to give the motor a good clean before you can determine where exactly it is leaking from.Could be several common places.Valley cover,rocker cover,rear main seal are common leak areas.You likely at the very least will need rocker cover gaskets to start with.Owning a 50+ year old car will be a learning experience but you have found the right place for help and information.VERY knowledgeable and friendly members on this site.Ask any questions you might have.

  

Valve cover nuts only need 2 1/2 ft. lbs. If covers are definitely leaking, then old/deteriorated cork gaskets are likely culprit. If you take covers off to inspect/change gaskets, check to see if the rocker shaft drain tubes are pointed down the pushrod holes. If not, heads may be flooding with oil.

Other most likely places for leaks on old original motors are valley cover gasket and rear main rope seal.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Bill:

I remember a Bill Poland in a residence hall at Purdue in the '58-'62 years.  Could it be possible??????

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Sorry, no.  I was born in 58 and my dad never went to Perdue.

Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland