Why two different oil pan designs for small blocks?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
Why two different oil pan designs for small blocks?
I am rebuilding a small block and have two oil pans to choose from, both are stock steel. One is the 55-75 thin front seal and one is the 76-85 thick seal style.
Is one better than the other? Why did they change over to the thick seal?
Curious which you would choose and why.
Thanks.
john
Is one better than the other? Why did they change over to the thick seal?
Curious which you would choose and why.
Thanks.
john
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
Now that you have said that, I can look at it and see it makes perfect sense. Although, if I were to remove the front cover without dropping the pan, I have no idea how I would get that seal in there again so that it wouldn't leak.
I think I am going to go with the 55-74 thin style and use a Fel-pro one piece gasket. Its in better shape and the car is a 74.
My memory needs a break. With all the modifications I have made to the car, it's getting hard for me to remember what car to tell the parts counter guys I have when I need a replacement. It will be nice to just say "74 Corvette".
I think I am going to go with the 55-74 thin style and use a Fel-pro one piece gasket. Its in better shape and the car is a 74.
My memory needs a break. With all the modifications I have made to the car, it's getting hard for me to remember what car to tell the parts counter guys I have when I need a replacement. It will be nice to just say "74 Corvette".
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Because you have two kinds of small blocks during those years. Two bolt main caps small or the later larger main journal and the large journal 4 bolts.
Ask the parts guy for a 1974 L-48 pan part and then ask for the L-82
Ask the parts guy for a 1974 L-48 pan part and then ask for the L-82
Last edited by gkull; Nov 30, 2013 at 09:15 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
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From: Northern New Jersey
Everyone agrees with this? Did they they used both pans when they changed over? Why, when the difference is the pan not the block.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I was wrong............ I have a 79 that came with an L-82 motor. I always remembered that it used a different gasket. I thought that maybe it was due to a different pan with 4 bolt.
It appears that GM just made the change on all later blocks.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe.../applications/
It appears that GM just made the change on all later blocks.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe.../applications/
