Leaking front seal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: New Fairfield CT
Leaking front seal
Rebuild the 71`s 350 last year and ever since I have has a small oil leak at the front seal. I messed up and used a cheap chrome e bay oil pan, started running out of money at end of engine build, but I used good felpro gaskets. I plan to drop the pan this winter to repair. Question is has anybody heard of leaks on these cheap pans? I know ,I know, I screwed up on this one. I just don`t want to make the same mistake twice. so replace the pan or not and which one would you guys recommend.
OT: Just picked up a 2007 Cobat SS, man chevy got right on this one, great DD, and after a few bolt-ons is`s a blast to drive.
thanks, Guys
OT: Just picked up a 2007 Cobat SS, man chevy got right on this one, great DD, and after a few bolt-ons is`s a blast to drive.
thanks, Guys
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It really doesn't matter if the pan is cheap so long as it's mating flange is flat and true. When you pull it off, place it on a counter or garage floor that you know is flat and level, and see if it wobbles at all. If it's unsteady, just work the flange until it sits flat. Also make sure there are no burs or that the holes are filed flat on the mating side.
Then, get a new one piece rubber oil pan gasket, I believe it's a Fel-Pro. Wonderful gasket.
Then, get a new one piece rubber oil pan gasket, I believe it's a Fel-Pro. Wonderful gasket.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
1-pc op gasket Fel-Pro OS34510T ... gasket comes with all new bolts & washers ... available locally for ~ $30.
For sbc with 2-pc rear main seal.
Fits 75 thru 85 sbc (both left & right dipstick) and all 2-pc rms blocks with THICK front gasket lip.
BTW ... chances are it's correct for a 71 sbc with aftermarket pan as MOST all aftermarket sbc pans use thick front gasket lip.
regardless which pan ... ensure it's straight & clean ... same goes for timing cover.
Check for leak at damper snout - timing cover seal. Check for groove worn in damper snout and/or bad TC seal.
For sbc with 2-pc rear main seal.
Fits 75 thru 85 sbc (both left & right dipstick) and all 2-pc rms blocks with THICK front gasket lip.
BTW ... chances are it's correct for a 71 sbc with aftermarket pan as MOST all aftermarket sbc pans use thick front gasket lip.
regardless which pan ... ensure it's straight & clean ... same goes for timing cover.
Check for leak at damper snout - timing cover seal. Check for groove worn in damper snout and/or bad TC seal.
Last edited by jackson; Nov 6, 2007 at 02:25 PM.
