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  #83  
Old 06-25-2023, 03:00 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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FE Fords are tough as well. Different challenges from a Pontiac. They have a flat oil pan which is much easier to seal than a Pontiac. But they have those stupid reverse Welsh plugs for the cam in the rear. Big oil leakers. Also the deep block has those tough to deal with rear main cap side seals that always want to leak. That half cylinder head/intake manifold interface is super heavy and difficult to seal. Don't get me started on the SOHC version. All the chain covers, gaskets, water/oil, what a nightmare. Honestly one of the easiest engines to seal up is an old school SBC IMO. Tons of fasteners and good spacing on the oil pan. Good factory rear main seal. Only challenge on them is the terrible, cheap, flimsy front cover and the 4 tiny bolt valve covers. The Japanese engines of the 1970's really pushed the American manufacturers to step up their game in the engine sealing area. My first experience with an OIL PAN rusting out was when I worked at a Datsun dealer. That would never happen on an American engine of that time. They were all leaking oil so the pan would never rust.