Back in my dirt racing days it was always a struggle to keep the oil in the aluminum Rodeck blocks. Pan rails were ground out for crank and rod clearance, oil pans were modified and so on. I finally stopped using gaskets altogether except for head and valve covers. That gray stuff from International would hold so tight that you would have to drive a screwdriver or prybar between the parts to separate them, but it cleans off easily with a wire wheel and does not leak.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/mo...t+material,271

Amazing how many swear by this on several car and truck forums. Something everyone should have on the shelf.

My dads 540 starter bolt came lose and we thought it was a rear main seal at first…. Is there any chance it’s coming from somewhere else?

What ?? FYI the starter bolts on a BBC or any engine that I know of don't thread into an oil passage

😂😂😂. I Give him credit for at least thinking outside the BOX

your first thought may be right,,but look at the back of the valve covers.
you didn't happen to run regular gas w/ 40° of timing,did you.

that ford stuff is awesome,,use it all the time.another good one,,is the toyota black rtv,,friend works for them and we get that alot.that stuff is strong too

thanks for the tip.
That seems to be the right stuff for my sealing problem, assuming I can get the cover mounted quickly enough.
It looks like Motorcraft's TA31 sealant has a similar consistency like marine under water silicone sealants. These also adhere very well and are sufficiently strong despite their high elasticity, but that marine stuff is most probably not resistant to lubricating oil. And the Permatex sealants I've tried doesn't have the necessary adhesive strength.

I must always have been fortunate or lucky. When in a pinch I’ve used about every different color (heat rating rtv) with a 1/8” + tip and slowly squeezing and repeat a couple of times with a wet finger in between and never had any issues. Doesn’t take much! Last thing I like to see is hardened silicone sucked up to the oil pick up screen. Right or wrong… worked for me.