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One thing to the next :/

Is it blowing smoke out of the tail pipe? If so then that will confirm the internal dip question.
Nothing that I’ve noticed - a bit of gas/contaminants spray for a short while at startup but no discernible amount of smoke per se out the back.
 
I did/went through the same thing. Do you have a spare VC you could try?
 
I have stamped steel valve covers on factory cast iron heads.

Open to trying anything at this point in regard to gasket material, bolts or studs, spreaders perhaps in that back corner (will check plane of VC and top of head as well), Indian head, rtv, etc.
 
Nothing that I’ve noticed - a bit of gas/contaminants spray for a short while at startup but no discernible amount of smoke per se out the back.

Ok then to me that would rule out an internal leak but I'm no expert. Rear main seal?
 
Wipe the head clean in the area where it was wet before.
All around that area(the back of the head, etc), make it all clean and dry.

Start the engine, let it run for a few minutes.........shut it off, then do the paper towel test again, to try and zero in on exactly where the oil is coming from.
It may very well not be the v/c gasket.
 
The oil can only come from a few places (headers are not one of them). You mentioned the PCV, if you do not have some crank case ventilation oil is going to get pushed out wherever it can find a weakness. AS to the oil on your header, it is most likely coming from the valve cover, why it is leaking is a result of poor mating surface, bad gasket, loose bolts. or a sealed engine that is pushing the oil past the gasket.
 
When you pull the valve cover off try using a straight edge and a light to see how straight the valve cover rail on the head is....

Also look at the back of the engine, Oil Pressure sending unit and the intake can both leak allot of oil...
 
I don’t know guys - reinstalled gasket 2 different times on valve cover. Even used Right Stuff between gasket and valve cover, used studs, etc.

Leaking somewhere - as oil is just dripping off my collector on the headers on passenger side. Took it down the road to get gas wondering if it would burn off the old stuff - well it keeps adding oil.

C7FF4006-B0B4-4B6F-AA57-9C0102D99400.jpeg
 
Just my 2 cents, go to napa ect and buy a new pair of fel pro cork gaskets and a pcv valve for your engine.
Yes I know you have a Wagner, let's get your engine sealed for now and mess with the Wagner later.
Your stamped steel covers need cork gaskets, and regular old gasket sealer.
Check all flanges and bolt holes for straight and true.
Like you have done before seal the gaskets to the covers and let set over night.
When you install the covers use a 1/4 " drive and just snug them up. Do not over tighten them. Rotate around the bolts and try to pull down the cover even.
Clean off the head and block and header.
Dbl check that sender and the pipe plug next to it if it's a big block.
Fire it and set the idle up a bit, go back to that corner with a cold beer and have a stare down with the cover and head.
Good luck.
 
It's pretty obvious at this point that at least one of the two isn't flat (valve cover or head bead) when
the valve cover is installed/torqued.
Only other option is that the gasket is not being held squarely where it needs to be on the bead of the
head when installed.
My money is on the valve cover being the issue.
 
It's pretty obvious at this point that at least one of the two isn't flat (valve cover or head bead) when
the valve cover is installed/torqued.
Only other option is that the gasket is not being held squarely where it needs to be on the bead of the
head when installed.
My money is on the valve cover being the issue.

Maybe.... Still don't know if it's a big block or small block.... If it's a small block need to take a look at the oil filter and then there's this..... https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/measuring-valve-cover-rail.217673/
 
440 guys - sorry.

Perhaps I will try a new valve cover just to see. :/

Thank you!!!
 
It's pretty obvious at this point that at least one of the two isn't flat (valve cover or head bead) when
the valve cover is installed/torqued.
Only other option is that the gasket is not being held squarely where it needs to be on the bead of the
head when installed.
My money is on the valve cover being the issue.

I thought of that - so I went and bought studs to install to ensure the gasket is mated exactly where it should be on the cylinder head.
 
I thought of that - so I went and bought studs to install to ensure the gasket is mated exactly where it should be on the cylinder head.
I've done the same with mine on my 440 when I installed a set of original 1967 chrome factory valve covers.
Studs, "spreader" type washers and nuts, all stainless. It seemed to help.
 
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