Victor Gaskets (AKA Victor-Reinz)

[rookie sixer]

Does/has Victor produce head gaskets for the 170/200? If so, does anyone know where they can be purchased? In the past, I've bad luck with Felpro, so any input or suggestions on a better gasket would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Anlushac11]

Last head gasket I bought was for a Ford 2.3L OHC from Advance Auto and it was a Victor.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy:

They used to be marketed exclusively by NAPA, but now I think they are more broadly available.

What was the nature of your experiences with Felpro?

Adios, David

 

[rookie sixer]

Seeping oil at the point closest to the firewall on a new rebuild. I lose about a teaspoon of oil after starting when its cold. After it warms up and I guess things expand, The leak stops. Like I said, this is a newly rebuilt 200 3.3l in my 65 convertible. I had the cylinders sleeved and the block and head machined (at a highly recommended shop). Before it goes back to the machine shop, I wanted to try using a Victor. I've been told by some friends that this gasket might prevent the leak I'm experiencing using the Felpro. I'm really hoping that this might solve the problem. Any ideas? The thought of taking it apart and going back to the machine shop makes me want to cry!

 

[rbohm]

8) felpro is one of my favorite gaskets to use as i have never had any problems with them. i suspect that you might have another issue that is causing the leak, and i doubt changing gasket brands will do any good, though victor/dana is a quality gasket company also. i would pull the head and check the gasket surfaces for flatness, both block and head. i would also look closely for any scratches or minor gouges in both surfaces. after you change the head gasket, if you still have a problem, clean the area with brake clean and let it dry, and then use some black rtv in the seam between the head and the block. that should stop the leak. another place you can look for a leak is at the valve cover in back. sometimes that part of the gasket around the bolt will leak.

 

[Anlushac11]

Seeping oil at the point closest to the firewall on a new rebuild. I lose about a teaspoon of oil after starting when its cold. After it warms up and I guess things expand, The leak stops. Like I said, this is a newly rebuilt 200 3.3l in my 65 convertible. I had the cylinders sleeved and the block and head machined (at a highly recommended shop). Before it goes back to the machine shop, I wanted to try using a Victor. I've been told by some friends that this gasket might prevent the leak I'm experiencing using the Felpro. I'm really hoping that this might solve the problem. Any ideas? The thought of taking it apart and going back to the machine shop makes me want to cry!

Sounds like the classic fairly often heard problem of needs washers under the head bolts?

If head and/or block was surfaced some people run into problems with the head bolts bottoming out and giving a false torque reading before gasket is properly compressed.

Put hardened washers under the head bolts and retorque and see if leaking doesnt go away.

 

[rookie sixer]

I will try this and let you know what happens. Thanks!

 

[Anlushac11]

Even if you do wind up putting a new head gasket on it might not be a bad idea to use the washers anyways to avoid this problem.

 

[rookie sixer]

I don't feel quite as bad as I was feeling then I began this thread. I now have a plan. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help. I'll update you with my progress.

All the best!

Wade

 

[falcon fanatic]

I just bough a victor gasket at NAPA. cheap ($40) and only .044 compressed, so a little bump. haven't installed it yet.

 

[rookie sixer]

I found the proper head bolt washers and installed them the other night. I torqued the head bolts to the specs I found in my 65 shop manual, crossed my fingers and started the engine and....no oil leak! Before, I would see a steady seepage right after starting (of about 1/2 teaspoon) drip onto my garage floor before everything heated up, pretty much stopping the leak. I let it idle for around 1/2 hour and then I took it out for a 20 minute drive. Checking the garage floor the next morning, I found that no oil had collected overnight. I'm going to double check everything again tonight, including the torque on all the head bolts.

I think that I might have solved my problem, thanks to the ideas and input I recieved through this thread. Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. I owe you all a beer!

 

[rbohm]

I found the proper head bolt washers and installed them the other night. I torqued the head bolts to the specs I found in my 65 shop manual, crossed my fingers and started the engine and....no oil leak! Before, I would see a steady seepage right after starting (of about 1/2 teaspoon) drip onto my garage floor before everything heated up, pretty much stopping the leak. I let it idle for around 1/2 hour and then I took it out for a 20 minute drive. Checking the garage floor the next morning, I found that no oil had collected overnight. I'm going to double check everything again tonight, including the torque on all the head bolts.

I think that I might have solved my problem, thanks to the ideas and input I recieved through this thread. Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. I owe you all a beer!

8) well done, but can you make that a coke zero instead, some of my blood pressure meds say no alcohol.