oil pan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 487
Likes: 66
From: Rhode Island
oil pan
HI GUYS last week I put a new oil pan gasket in and I ran the for about 1 hour and saw the new gasket leaking so. what is the BEST gasket to use and the sealer plus where to put it on. 70 small block thanks for your help bob
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
there are 2 basic oem plus 1 piece silicon available.
oem has a thin or thick rubber "end" gaskets and cork side gaskets.
cork could be rubber on sides.
where does it leak?
were the end gaskets the right one for the pan?
did you "peen" the side bolt pan holes?
not so simple, sometimes.
oem has a thin or thick rubber "end" gaskets and cork side gaskets.
cork could be rubber on sides.
where does it leak?
were the end gaskets the right one for the pan?
did you "peen" the side bolt pan holes?
not so simple, sometimes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
As I recall there are basically two pan gaskets, the difference in the thickness of the gasket at one end or the other (I don't remember which end is different). Figure that out, then get the one piece gasket. Messing around with four separate pieces and sealant is a recipe for leaks.
Last edited by drwet; May 10, 2023 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Kant spel
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
TRUE. After removing the pan 3 times and trying different pan gaskets I was about to buy a new pan.
THEN I laid my pan upside down on a granite countertop after carefully peening/flattening all the concave bolt holes on the pan.
The pan was WARPED 1/4" from front to rear AND diagonally, also.
I used a hard-rubber mallet to straighten the pan and installed a new 1-piece gasket (be sure to get the correct thickness for the timing cover/rear seal areas).
IF I had to do it again I would buy a QUALITY new oil pan and use the correct 1-piece rubber gasket
(Don't overtighten the bolt on the new pan or it will leak!)
THEN I laid my pan upside down on a granite countertop after carefully peening/flattening all the concave bolt holes on the pan.
The pan was WARPED 1/4" from front to rear AND diagonally, also.
I used a hard-rubber mallet to straighten the pan and installed a new 1-piece gasket (be sure to get the correct thickness for the timing cover/rear seal areas).
IF I had to do it again I would buy a QUALITY new oil pan and use the correct 1-piece rubber gasket
(Don't overtighten the bolt on the new pan or it will leak!)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,332
Likes: 8,139
From: Napa Valley California
Like Doorgunner states above!
Good quality pan, check it for straightness.
I’m not a sbc guy so, I have to ask, do you need to remove the timing cover to properly install the oil pan?
Good quality pan, check it for straightness.
I’m not a sbc guy so, I have to ask, do you need to remove the timing cover to properly install the oil pan?
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Jebby
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,470
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From: Little Rock AR
I don't use the 4-piece setup anymore. The one-piece is just superior in every way.
Measure the front of your pan to help determine the right one-piece gasket to buy. The catalog lists the years for each gasket application but if the pan has ever been replaced, that is a crap shoot. Measure.
Pay attention to the bolt torque specs for the specific gasket you buy. The spec in the box is different than the standard service manual spec and it does matter. The first one I tried leaked until I went back and used the torque wrench and it then sealed right up.
Flat rails and bolt holes will help too.
Measure the front of your pan to help determine the right one-piece gasket to buy. The catalog lists the years for each gasket application but if the pan has ever been replaced, that is a crap shoot. Measure.
Pay attention to the bolt torque specs for the specific gasket you buy. The spec in the box is different than the standard service manual spec and it does matter. The first one I tried leaked until I went back and used the torque wrench and it then sealed right up.
Flat rails and bolt holes will help too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
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As I recall there are basically two pan gaskets, the difference in the thickness of the gasket at one end or the other (I don't remember which end is different). Figure that out, then get the one piece gasket. Messing around with four separate pieces and sealant is a recipe for leaks.
