<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Hi Bill! </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Many decades ago I got rid of the original style gaskets and took a tip from 80s GM pan gaskets which came standard with a thin RTV bead in the center.. 90,000 + Mike's on my Fiero 2M6 and NEVER a drip.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Now the TR3/4 blocks have an additional stupid issue: the block oil pan bolt holes go straight into the crankcase. So even if the pan is fully sealed- oil spirals down the threads of ALL of the pan retaining bolts. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Same with the 46 bolts on my E Type V12 oil pan.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">The solution is Super clean each of the bolt threads in the block several times with brake cleaner on rounds of Q tips. Add just RTV to the block & pan, the threads & the Bolts. Install all 4 turns only. Then when all bolts in- tighten center out criss cross like you'd sequence a cylinder head. So when the RTV cures- you have a complete seal.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Timing cover leaks- same thing. Super Clean everything. Use Hi temp RTV on sealing surfaces, bolts & threads. </div><div dir="auto">Also don't over Torque the bolts. Let the RTV CURE &do its job.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">The only leak in 22 years since my last engine Rebuild is from the Rear main seal.</div><div dir="auto">I also painted my oil pan Hammerred Silver so I coukd initially monitor for weeps.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">20-50 Brad-Penn + STP does wonders minimizing the 'British Perfume that makes its way to the exhaust pipe. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Sherman D Taffel </div><div dir="auto">TR4 CT50054L</div><div dir="auto">Columbia MD</div><div dir="auto">4 Hags, 5 Jensens, Dozen+ American</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div id="composer_signature" dir="auto"><div style="font-size:12px;color:#575757" dir="auto">Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S10, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone</div></div><div dir="auto"><br></div></body></html>