long time lurker, now a member. Yes I searched enough .....
long story short - last year I needed to replace the motor in my runner(had a knock and it felt like it had about 60hp ) so a shop near by gave me a good deal on a new motor with install with a 7 year warranty ( I was working 7 days a week then ) nothing but bad luck with this deal, took 3 weeks longer than what was said over the phone .. got the truck back within a month it blew a head gasket .. you see were this is going? ... YES IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET .
so I emailed engnbldr the day after new years saturday the 2nd and had a response that day and the ball was rolling ordered the street rv head with the 261 cam & rv springs , gaskets , and bolts . ( should have ordered a engine from them to start with ) now enough with the run down, on to my question .......................

ready to install now and I noticed the top of the block and the front cover are not level ( front cover is a little lower ) can I use sealer there ??
not on the block but on the cover.. My chiltons says nothing about it ..

 

I should have mention above that it has been leaking oil from that area ...

 

shaved block but not timing cover or other way around...?

 

If they are different heights, they used the WRONG timing cover when they built you a motor. The 84-earlier timing covers have a 3/16" difference to the later model covers. Can't remember off the top of my head which is taller, but that could be the root of the whole problem.

 

Van Cour - I'm sure the block was shaved some , the pistons are 0.50 but the cover is what's lower, I can feel it with my finger, I straight edge the block bit I need to find my feeler gauge to say what the difference in hight is..

DeathCougar- thats the last thing I wanted to hear tonight . I have no clue what year motor those guys put in ..

 

If they shaved the block and the cover is STILL lower, they used parts that didn't match. Call the place that rebuilt the motor and find out what the hell they are doing. Especially since they say you have a 7 year warranty.

 

yeah their 7 year warranty is how long it takes for them to fix it (haahaa) when the last head gasket blew it took a week to pick up my truck with their so called tow truck, it was a 80 something chevy with a tow dolly ... ( I was not happy ) every time they have touched the truck it gets worse..... ( they are just south of your location north of Everett )

 

I went out and checked it again it is less then 3/16" a lot less
but noticeable ..
but shouldn't they be level at the mating surface ????