Got it started, adjusted valves, idles great, has an oil leak.

It is hard to see where it is leaking. it is below the head in line with cylinder number 6. Any bolts or brackets that could be missing where oil would leak out?

I'm bummed

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hot rodder at heart!

I must have dinged up the edge of the head gasket toward the back of the engine. it is leaking oil between the head and the block at that point. Besides being more careful wit a new one, is there a thicker gasket I should use that would be better than the fel-pro that I used.

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hot rodder at heart!

Just keep in mind thicker head gasket = lower static compression. Felpro head gasket is thicker than factory metal gasket so with Felpro your compression has all ready been lowered.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

If you're going to remove the head, be sure to check for dings or nicks on the actual head and block surface as well. The Fel-pro gasket should be good enough to seal on its own as long as your deck surfaces are clean and flat.

I have heard of people running a very thin bead of oil-safe, high-temp RTV along the edge of the gasket on the outside of the oil gallery, but the last few Fel-pro gaskets I've used have already had a rubbery bead of something built into the gasket in this location. I would be VERY sparing with the goop if you did this. Don't get RTV anywhere near the main body of the gasket.

Also check to make sure you're following the correct torque spec.

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Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

Just about every slant six motor i have run has a leak at that point. New gasket or old. I usually end up adding a bit of RTV sealant to each side of the head gasket on installation or I just smear a bit of RTV sealant on the outside of the seam.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Thank you all for the tips.

Here is the plan:
1. Tear it back down
2. Clean the top of the block- I did forget last time!
3. Use a sealer on that edge of the gasket- Head was resurfaced but block was dirty.
4. Get somebody stronger to help me place head without beating on the gasket! (it was the weak helping the weaker)
5. Replace vacuum hose that I pinched in the valve cover.
6. Re adjust the valves and tidy up the engine bay

The car ran really strong, trans shifted to all three gears. Push button works great. Heard a few suspension noises. I know the shocks are shot but overall I am encouraged. Brake shoes need changed-PO rebuilt brakes all but shoes and left me the new ones in a box. I hope they fit.

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hot rodder at heart!

First try a retorqe 5lbs higher,if that doesnt work I have put permatex Right stuff sealer,,,a light smear over the joint and have stopped leaks 100%.The Right stuff is the right stuff.

I was going to try a squirt with the Red RTV stuff but even though the right stuff is more money, I can't argue with the Right Stuff. I think it will work because I drove it a little today and nothing leaked out. So it is worth the try!
thanks

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hot rodder at heart!

i agree with Reed. they all leak back there

multiple times I removed the head and tried sealing it up but to no avail
it still leaks back there a little bit.

as a recovering perfectionist its tough to accept this but over time, and patient endurance I have come to live with it.

I disagree. I have never had a leak there, even with the stock shim gasket.
My leak issues are the right front corner of the oil pan at the timing cover, and the rear seal/oil pan area. They always give me grief.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Well I tried the right stuff and it worked. Didn't drive it a whole lot, a couple of 10 mile trips.

Tomorrow after church I am going to install a new set of wires. Then it will be my daily driver. I don't drive it much, just to visit the hospital and nursing homes so it wont be a lot.

bought the welder and picking up the shielding gas next week!

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hot rodder at heart!