I've got a '65 S1 E type that the front timing chain area of the head gasket is leaking. I've tightened the nuts.. still leaks. This motor was rebuild some 30 years ago and is driven sparingly. What I want to know is if I can retorque the acorn head nuts at this point safely. I don't wan to pull the head at this point in time. thanks Blake

Submitted by mr.jwhey@rocke… on Thu, 10/24/2013 - 17:07

Blake,

First, are you sure the oil isn't coming from the breather dome gasket? These are prone to leakage. Did you tighten the two nuts either side that pull the timing cover up against the underside of the head? If the timing cover is removed and reinstalled, these bolts are tightened first before the front face bolts, so perhaps loosening all the bolts on the front of the cover before you try to get more compression on the head gasket would help. On the other hand you might wind up with a new oil leak somewhere else.

Good luck.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Thu, 10/24/2013 - 10:33

Blake you might find a re-torque of the 6 nuts in the front of the head will do more. Doubtful the large nuts are the issue--but checking them will cause no harm.