Had an oil leak on the new 402 motor and traced the problem to the rear cover. The cover that is on it right now has recessed bolt holes unlike the 5.3 cover and another 6.0 cover that we compared it to. Because the holes are recessed it doesn't tighten enough to seat the gasket properly. Can we use washers to make up the recessed difference or is it possible that it is the wrong cover? Block is an 2005 6.0.

 

thats new to me, so yoru saying the bolts bottom out before they clamp tight enough? why not try and put the 5.3 cover on it

 

trying not to disassemble the 5.3 so I can sell it with no problems. Have you ever seen a recessed rear cover?

 

The most common problem is that the bolts are to long and the cover is not seated against the block. You could use washers if you are in A bind but the correct way is the shorter bolt. That happened to me once,but I caught the problem before it went to the customer. Rex

 

where did you get the bolts from? We tried some bolts from the 5.3 and they were the same length.

 

PM mater he has rear covers if you want to go that route

 

Can't you just grind the bolts down ? Save some time and money . But your fingers could get burned.
Ron