I hope someone can answer my question. I have a stock 55 Pan with stock 66 Shovel uppers, the rear cylinder developed a serious oil leak at the base gasket, what is the difference between the stock "paper" base gaskests and the heavier metal with silicone gaskets other than the thickness? Would there be any trouble using the heaveier gaskets?
Thanks!

 

I just bought an Extreem Technology Cometic set for a pan to find out that I didn't want to use the steel base gaskets because of the way they punched the oil holes for the pressure side. Nothing wrong with the rudderoid or paper as long as you keep the base nuts tight.

 

As Randy said, damn good idea to check those cylinder base nuts, and head bolts on those from time to time, especially after initial heat soaks/cycles. Mighty surpising how much more they'll take after heat up.
Another thing to be aware of, is that when doing so, with a solid lifter set-up, be aware of your pushrod adjustment will become snugged up, and may/will result in very poor starting, if you are running them on the tight side to begin with.
Scott

 

we always use the steel/silicone gaskets on the pan/shovel/iron motors,no probs.but whats been said about the base nuts.90% of time they`ll come loose as the cause of the leak.opon first start up,retorque everything(heads & base) with warm motor,as it colls it will really pull nuts down

 

I'll just add that zero lash on your lifters means you can turn your pushrods VERY easily but not have ANY slack in the valve train.

Also if you don't have the tools to tighten those base and head nuts take it to someone that does.