440 Source valley pan leak

[Q5XX29]

We barely have 50 miles on my son's new stroker engine in his '68 Charger (400-based 500"), and have developed some oil misting under the intake manifold. At first thought I just had a leak from the oil pressure sending unit, and did, but fixed that and still some oil accumulation in the valley pan. Used a endoscopic camera and looked around under there, thought maybe there was a crack in the valley pan, but couldn't tell for sure. So, pulled off the carb/intake manifold and nope- no crack. It's a 440 Source valley pan, which has an angled lip all along the sides that tucks up under the heads, so installation/removal would require the heads to come off, which is unfortunate. Otherwise, I'd probably just quick throw on a stock style bathtub and I bet all would be fine. Engine builder advises against this route (says he prefers this style because there is less trouble with oil getting sucked into the intake ports, but I don't want oil going ANYWHERE it's not supposed to, lol). So, looking to try and make this 440 Source valley pan seal better. If I press down along the center of the pan, you can see the gap where it meets the head widen, and I can imagine some oil pressure seeping through this joint along the sides. I'm not familiar with this style of valley pan.  Otherwise, I suppose it could all just be coming from the usual trouble areas- the 4 corner areas along the end holddown strips. Re-torque the heads? Just apply some more silicone?

Any suggestions/experience from the group?

Here's a video:

https://youtu.be/Q1m6VMRAU_I

[firefighter3931]

Run a bead of the "right stuff" along the head/valley pan interface. That'll seal it up fine 


Ron

[ACUDANUT]

 "angled lip all along the sides that tucks up under the heads".  Never heard of a valley pan that tucks up in the heads.  But I use stock heads.

[Q5XX29]

"angled lip all along the sides that tucks up under the heads".  Never heard of a valley pan that tucks up in the heads.  But I use stock heads.

I had not either, before this. But check it out:

http://store.440source.com/Sheet-Metal-Valley-Pan-B-Engine-Single-Plane/productinfo/127-1011/

[Q5XX29]

Run a bead of the "right stuff" along the head/valley pan interface. That'll seal it up fine 


Ron

Headed to pick some Right Stuff up now- thanks for the suggestion, Ron!