Its the tower. The early towers have channels for the figure 8 gaskets in between the lifter buckets.

I wish we would have taken pictures of soontobered's 79' when we did it. His was a prime example that required the figure 8's [whereas my 80' did not].

 

My guess is the problem here is if the later style main gasket is at the same thickness as the early gasket or a bit thinner. Because if it's a bit thinner that would explain what Mrmerlin said about having leaks if the figure 8 gaskets remain in place.

 

what I am saying is if you use a new style tower gasket along with the 8 gaskets.
Then the 8 gasket added to the new tower gasket will be adding additional thickness to the center portion of the tower,
this will then cause it to not sit flush onto the head,
this will then cause one side of the tower to rock towards the other side and then,
this will cause a small bit of clearance along the usually the top edge of the tower,
this will then cause oil to leak out and fill the V of the engine,
use a feeler gauge once the towers are tight to verify that they are in fact seated

 

Yup, got it. Was just seeking an explanation for this problem . Seems plausible that this happens because the new style tower gasket is a bit thinner then the old style one.

Basically I understand that I should purchase either a 23A set that includes the figure 8 gaskets and the old style tower gasket or a new style tower gasket.

Thanks a lot, you really helped me get this sorted out.

 

Adrian if you use the new style gasket then you dont use the 8 gaskets... only if you use or can get the older style tower gasket do you use the 8 gaskets........... The newer tower gasket has provisions for the lifter collars so the 8 gaskets are not used, ...........got it??, Roger?, Over??

 

That's what I said .

 

Cool Brother, good luck on your project