Help: 1955 322 nailhead valley pan gasket replacement

[Guest Super_Hermitage]

I have a 55 Buick Super with a 322 Nailhead that is leaking quite a bit of oil from the valley pan. I have decided to replace the gasket, I took the inlet manifold off but couldn't get the valley pan off because the inlet castings on the heads. So I removed the water pump and timing chain cover in order to slide the pan out the front. Even with all the bits removed I can't slide the pan out because of the breather baffle on the pan hitting the front of the block and the inlet castings preventing me from lifting it up. I am starting to think I am going to have to pull a head off! Tell me I am wrong, how do I get this darn valley pan out ?

[Paul Falabella]

I recently did that job. You have the breather downpipe off off I assume. I did not need to remove the water pump to do this. If I recall the cover can be moved to one side and lifted out the other side. Pretty sure

 that's how I did it. BTW while you have it off, change the breather filter mesh. Willie "Old Tank" has a tutorial on his page. It is likely clogged with years of accumulated sludge. 

Edited September 14, 2015 by Paul Falabella (see edit history)

[old-tank]

It will come out without removing the cylinder heads.  Clean the area between the cylinder head and block, push the valley cover into that recess and pry the other side.  You might need to remove any remnants of gasket sticking out the side of the valley pan.  When you have it off :  http://www.buickrestorer.com/valleycover.html

Willie

[Paul Falabella]

One more thing, before you replace the intake, vacuum the inlets in the heads for any debris that may have fallen in. 

[Guest Super_Hermitage]

Thanks for the info and tips, I managed to slide the pan out the front with a little coaxing and I vacuumed the the inlet and block valley to remove all debris Now the real fun begins, putting it all back together.

[Paul Falabella]

Take a look at Old Tank's tutorial. Now is the time to do that.