To update; I have several hundred miles on the gasket re-torque. I did have some remaining ooze from the front timing cover, and re-did it last month also.
Currently we are having cold nights, down to 17 or so (cold for Texas) which definitely exacerbates any gasket issue when the cold engine is fired up.

And........yes I do have just a little mist of oil residue on the block under
cylinder 1. Maybe equivalent to 2-3 drops spreading across the block face. Nothing at all further back near cylinder 6, where it leaked before.
I'm hoping it's just leftovers I missed cleaning up from the previous leak that saturated the edge of the gasket along that area; but it's sure a lot less than I saw before.

I'll keep my fingers crossed - as I ponder my seeping tranny input seal in this cold weather - DARN; only 27 years old and she's determined to try to leave her first blood on the garage floor. Oh well, always enjoy some good winter projects.

DG

Thanks for the update...good news.

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Just to update: been over 1k miles since the head re-torque and the timing cover seal. The small mist under Cyl #1 was indeed just left-over residue. I wiped it off, and ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OF A LEAK HAS RE-APPEARED. Engine is absolutely 100% dry and clean.

Of course, I didn't have much time to bask in the glory, as the frigid weather brought out a seeping tranny on the front seal and B-2 piston.
But, a quick R&R and new tranny seals all around put a stop to that also.

And of course, again I swore that at my age this is the very last time I'll do a big repair like that - sure!

Old Pearl is tight and dry all over again - time to cruise the Bingo Parlor parking lot and count the thumbs-up!

Cheers,
Old Wrench

Nice...thank you for the update!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

One more update on the re-torque.
6 months and 3500 miles: totally dry.
No oil leaks, no coolant loss.
Ran a compression check today and got 170-190 on all cylinders; all plugs clean and normal.

Guess this project was a total success.

DG

Awesome news!

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]