[lrosen]

What do some of you more experienced engine builders recommend for the various common leak points on a 326?

Such as: valley pan, oil pan, main seals (front & rear)

I am pretty sure my valley pan is leaking and I know that is a long time trouble spot in Ponti engines. Ideas?

For my valve covers, years ago I used something called Permatex Hylomar blue, a non-hardening, tacky sticky substance. It did not leak a drop for 8-9 years, I think it's time to redo, but I cannot find Permatex Hylomar anymore and there is very little left in my old tube.

I read an old article in HPP describing a method of replacing the rear main rope seal. The main point of the article was that the rope seal was installed but not trimmed perfectly flush with the block/cap surfaces, it said to let it protrude a little and then torque the main cap down. It then says to remove the cap and just trim the threads of rope that were "squeezed out" or caught and compressed between the cap & block. This method supposedly helps compress the rope ends together when tightened.

Has anyone tried this method?