Chrome Oil Pans
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Chrome Oil Pans
I've heard that chromed oil pans have trouble sealing. Is this true? I'd like to have mine chromed but if its gonna not seal as well then I won't. Any input apprciated.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
From: Kelso WA
Chrome oil pan
Well, you heard correctly. What I've been told is that you want to roughen up the edge where the pan meets the block using sand paper. Make sure you use gasket sealer on both sides of the gasket. You also have to be careful you don't overtorque oil pans.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
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I think the big reason chrome pans leak is the fact that the pan itself(on the chrome aftermarket stuff) is cheap and of poor quality. If you chrome a factory pan, I would bet the odds of leaking go way, way down.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
From: Kelso WA
I don't think that is the case as I have seen some well made chrome timing covers that leaked, too. The chrome oil pan I bought in the past was cheap and didn't fit well enough to use. I am sure there are good quality ones out there as long as you are willing to spend the money. The problem is that the chrome is very slick and is hard to seal against. Chrome valve covers are the same way.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by bsmutz
Well, you heard correctly. What I've been told is that you want to roughen up the edge where the pan meets the block using sand paper. Make sure you use gasket sealer on both sides of the gasket. You also have to be careful you don't overtorque oil pans.
Exactly, that's the whole problem. It doesn't matter so much if it's a cheap or a good one, you don't want chrome on the sealing surface. I bought a cheap chrome transmission pan because it was $20 and had a drain plug. I sanded the chrome off on the gasket area and it's been fine for 3 years.
