I realize there are several threads on this but my eyes started to cross after a while and I need to ask for a little guidance.

My 69 L46 has an aftermarket oil pan + timing cover with ancient cork gaskets and I need to reseal them. The PO liked chrome and I hate it so it goes far far away, question is what do I replace it with? Right now I am still using the car and this is for the winter project so I don't have it apart yet, I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row.

I bought this pan off a forum member here several years ago for this purpose and promptly forgot about it entirely until I found it accidentally. I want to use a Fel-Pro one piece gasket and also replace the two piece rear main seal while I'm at it. Apart from the corporate blue paint I measured it and see that this one takes the post-75 thick gasket.

Question is does that affect which timing cover gasket I use?

Also, would it make any sense to just use this instead? Champ Pans Wet Sump Oil Pans CP40

I am not concerned about NCRS or any of that I am just tired of the oil weep now becoming leaks.

Thanks in advance.

 

You might want to consider a two piece timing cover. I don't remember too much more except that the fit under the water pump was kind of tight.

 

One more thing to check:

 

That blue pan uses a fel-pro '75 and up one piece oil pan gasket for DRIVERS side dipstick. The timing cover is the same no matter what.

That blue pan has less ground clearance, uses a Camaro oil pump pickup. The "Corvette" pan would have better ground clearance and uses the "Corvette only" oil pump pickup.

 

I've used Champ pans before (although Not P/N CP40) and I like them. Good sturdy quality, good fit, strong straight rails, good welds.
Before you proceed, suggest phone Champ tech and Verify CP40 fits 1969 Corvette steering etc. Clearly, CP40 has a good windage & oil control package.
If yes, I'd run that CP40, as well as FP gasket P/N OS34510T.
Since mid-nineties, GM changed OE sbc oil pumps' inlet tube size from old (melling M55) 5/8" OD - To - newer & larger (melling M155) 3/4" OD inlet tube size
The larger diameter (3/4") tube is an improvement and helps pump to scavenge pan in low-to-mid rpm range (where a street vehicle spends most of its service life).
Standard volume & pressure is more than adequate; see no need for either high volume or high pressure.
I'd choose a new pump: melling P/N M155 .
I'd also phone Champ tech and Verify their pickup tube P/N 51SB is a good fit with their CP40 pan + melling M155 pump + felpro OS34510T gasket.
Follow the gasket package insert instructions; NO sealer Except a dab of RTV in four corners. Absolutely spotless block rails & pan rails & timing cover rail. That gasket comes with plastic (stud-like) "Snap-Ups" that're used temporarily to hold up and align gasket when working beneath vehicle. They work well.
I much prefer (and rely on) tech advice direct from manufacturer; not from a retail salesman.

 

Thanks - that's the good stuff.

I just spoke with Champ and no problem using the CP40 and did state this was for a 69 C3. He doesn't have a pickup for the M155 but said their 50SB will work with the M55. I asked about the Fel-Pro one piece and he told me to avoid one piece gaskets as they are too thick and will cause a leak at the timing cover when snugged down - this from personal experience with his own car plus several customers. Instead he suggested a standard 4-piece from 'any parts store' and be careful to use RTV on the four bolts near the dipstick. He didn't specify but said they come with both thick and thin front seals and to use the thick one. I found this easily enough: Mr. Gasket Ultra Seal Oil Pan Gasket - 5884

The pan I showed pics of is AFAIK from a later C3 like 75-79. The CP40 has a crank scraper + windage tray + trapdoor. Whether that's actually necessary for a mild cruiser like this is debatable. Couldn't hurt but I'm not road racing or anything.

So now I have options. Haven't quite decided whether I actually need that CP40 but I like the idea of that over the cheap-o pans commonly available. If I do go with the OEM pan I already have I believe I'd use the felpro OS34510T you mentioned. When talking about the Champ pan I'd follow his advice on gaskets but would personally prefer the one piece. Incidentally, the auto parts store markup is insane for some of these things. I'd order online.

Clearance. The blue pan is 7.5" same as the Champ pan and (with some grunting and stretching) looks about the same as the chrome p.o.s on there now.

I hadn't initially intended to swap out the pump as this thing runs about 35 psi at idle and 65psi+ at speed on the old OEM gauge. Sort of a 'if it's working leave it alone'. I know I can get the M55 and the unique pickup easily, I'll look into the M155 more closely - good idea there.

Much appreciated.
Jeff

 

FP P/N OS34510T is one piece pan gasket and has integral Thick front seal and can fit either R or L dipstick on 2-piece rear main seal block.
some guys like the old 4-piece pan gaskets; not me. FWIW, OE GM quit that decades ago.

As stingr69 shared above, corvette pickup
That's Melling pickup P/N 254S for 93-96 (C4) corvette w/ Gen 1 SBC (as said before, larger-inlet pumps didn't arrive until mid-nineties)

And, near bottom of Champ webpage for CP40, clearly shows Champ pickup P/N 51SB to fit M155

https://www.champpans.com/products/p/cp40/

 

Didn't see that, thanks. While looking at that page it also says 'Will fit all chassis' which apparently includes C3s.

IDK who answered the phone yesterday but he didn't sound like Sales to me. Not liking the one piece seals definitely seemed odd but I was asking Champ support about Champ pans and that's what the man said. He could have been sweeping the floor when the phone rang for all I know His opinion no doubt but in either case as long as I am careful likely either style would work.

I have a few weeks yet of driving that I will indulge in then I'll put it up on the Quickjack where it can stay as long as necessary over the winter. I noted the Town has already put their plows on which makes me wonder if they heard something I haven't - apparently the National Weather Service and the Farmer's Almanac disagree about this winter and maybe they're hedging their bets.

In any case I'll take it apart and see what I am dealing with first and now know what options I have. Thanks again for the good info.