O Ring in Gasket Set?

[69-er]

I'm assembling my first Ford engine. 74 360. In the gasket set there is a thin o ring, about 1 1/2" dia. Can anyone tell me where it goes? The engine was disassembled by some one else so I never got the chance to see it first hand.

Thanks!

Larry

[cep62]

I believe that is for the distributor .
Correct me if I'm wrong.

[nooptions69]

Sounds like the distributor is right. Usually a bit chamfered for where it sits down into the block. As an aside you want the distributor in the block with the gasket when you are ready to torque down the intake, it helps locate the intake properly. It's easy on an FE to get things a bit crooked during the torque process and then you end up with a distributor that is difficult or nearly impossible to turn by hand when you go to dial in the timing. Test twisting the distributor by hand as you get half way and then done with the torque process.

[69-er]

Thanks guys. The distributor is the first think I thought of. This o ring is a common round one and not chamfered. Unless, maybe some distributors have different types of grooves?

[nooptions69]

You should have a thick one that sits down into the hole in the intake The chamfered design is so that it stops like a cork and seals the distributor to the intake preventing oil leaks. Your gasket kit should have one, it's like hard rubber. Or if I'm wrong, it's been about 4 years since I put an FE together. Can't picture where your standard appearing o ring would go.

[69-er]

Yes, I have that thick, chamfered/tapered one. This O ring is thin, about 1/8" thick.

[nooptions69]

What's the diameter (roughly) of the O ring?

[DuckRyder]

It may be for the intake mounted oil fill on earlier intakes.

There is probably also a gasket for the crankcase vent/draft tube used on earlier FE engines.

[69-er]

It's about 1 1/2" dia. I also noticed a thick cork gasket about the same size as the distributor gasket. Maybe that's the draft tube gasket.

I guess that would make sense that there are gaskets for multiple years/applications. Earlier, I had to research the reason for the thicker timing chain gasket. Sounds like it's for the earlier sheet metal cover and the thinner one is for the cast aluminum.

[sparky72]

I think DuckRyder is right. Those gasket kits come with all kinds of gaskets, for all kinds of FEs

[nooptions69]

That's an aha! moment for me, think that's exactly what it is. One of those leftover gaskets you don't necessarily need that come in every kit. I didn't throw away the remains of my last complete build gasket set, gonna peek in there today for the heckuvit to see what the leftovers are...

[nooptions69]

Confirmed, 1-o ring and 1 round cork gasket among the valve seals and different thermostat housing gaskets left over from my last FE build.

[69-er]

Awesome! Then I should be good to go! There are a few other extras but I think I can ignore them too.

Thank you sir!

[nooptions69]

You're welcome, follow up when you fire it up