anyone use sealant on a 1pc oil pan gasket?
#1
anyone use sealant on a 1pc oil pan gasket?
my oil pans been leaking like hell, started with a small drip and got worse and worse. ive got a felpro permadry on it.
when i pulled the pan this evening, both sides of the gasket were just covered in oil. im thinking about just piling a couple gallons of RTV onto both the block, dropping the gasket ontop, and then covering it with more.
im getting really damn sick of these leaks.
when i pulled the pan this evening, both sides of the gasket were just covered in oil. im thinking about just piling a couple gallons of RTV onto both the block, dropping the gasket ontop, and then covering it with more.
im getting really damn sick of these leaks.
#2
Walk away from it for a week.
Then arm yourself with some brake cleaner and rags.
Crawl under there and clean the hell out of the entire mating surface. Wherever gasket meets metal.
Verify that you have the correct front seal thickness. There are two types. Don't quote me on this, but I think all 75 and later stock pans and almost all aftermarket pans take the thick seal. That's for SBC. I have no idea about BBC.
And to finally answer your question. Yes, put a little dab of RTV at each corner of the half loops front and rear of the gasket.
Good luck.
Then arm yourself with some brake cleaner and rags.
Crawl under there and clean the hell out of the entire mating surface. Wherever gasket meets metal.
Verify that you have the correct front seal thickness. There are two types. Don't quote me on this, but I think all 75 and later stock pans and almost all aftermarket pans take the thick seal. That's for SBC. I have no idea about BBC.
And to finally answer your question. Yes, put a little dab of RTV at each corner of the half loops front and rear of the gasket.
Good luck.
#6
Race Director
Have a close look at the pan rail. If they have been overtightened in the past, they may be dimpled towards the block. If so, It will be very hard to get a good seal. Simply take the round side of a ball peen hammer to each bolt hole and gently them out the other way.
#7
Le Mans Master
Have a close look at the pan rail. If they have been overtightened in the past, they may be dimpled towards the block. If so, It will be very hard to get a good seal. Simply take the round side of a ball peen hammer to each bolt hole and gently them out the other way.
You also need to determine if you have the correct gasket. There are two different gasket designs for small block chevy's. Most earlier engines use the one with the thin front (between the timing cover and the front of the oil pan). There was a later design that used a thicker gasket at the front. If you have the thicker gasket and you are trying to use it with a timing cover and oil pan designed for the thinner gasket you will never get the side rails to seal.
#9
The thick v/s thin timing cover seal is a big difference. If you mismatch those, it either won't go together at all or it'll leak like crazy. Most of the time when those pan gaskets leak it's from overtorqueing. You either end up over compressing the gasket or like CA-legal said you dimple out the pan around the bolt holes and screw up the flatness of the mating surface. When you put it back together, use a inch-lbs torque wrench. You might be surprised at how little torque they take.
#10
The thick v/s thin timing cover seal is a big difference. If you mismatch those, it either won't go together at all or it'll leak like crazy. Most of the time when those pan gaskets leak it's from overtorqueing. You either end up over compressing the gasket or like CA-legal said you dimple out the pan around the bolt holes and screw up the flatness of the mating surface. When you put it back together, use a inch-lbs torque wrench. You might be surprised at how little torque they take.
#11
Instructor
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Eugene OR
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My $.02
For what it's worth... I've been using fel-pro blue gaskets for some time now. I've even had to re-use one in a pinch once. I think they're definitely worth the $35. Also, I like to use a Permetex product called the Right Stuff in the corners. It usually runs around 8 bucks a can
My $.02 on a well-spent $43
My $.02 on a well-spent $43
#12
Good deal but that doesn't guarantee the last owner did the same. Put a straigedge along the pan lip and make sure it's as flat as it can be.
Last edited by wcsinx; 05-03-2011 at 04:05 PM.
#13
#14
Melting Slicks
Yeah, the pan bolt holes look dimpled. Try reworking that like others have said. Then you could try checking it with a feeler gage after its torqued down, maybe a .004" or .003". I did that with a transmission pan that I had my doubts about, reworked a corner till the feeler wouldn't go in as far, and that pan doesn't leak.
The gasket you have looks like it has inserts at the holes to prevent overtorqueing, but your pan definitely needs some work. You could look into buying a new one.
The gasket you have looks like it has inserts at the holes to prevent overtorqueing, but your pan definitely needs some work. You could look into buying a new one.
#15
Melting Slicks
Just to make things interesting there is also a 3rd Medium thickness Gasket for SBC. Its in between the Thick and the Thin. I'm not sure if its made anymore, its usualy not listed in Parts Books anymore. I think it was for use with a 69 block and front cover. Thats what my last Motor was and I needed it.
#16
Burning Brakes
Check The Pan
Try sitting the pan on without a gasket and see if it is warped , It should sit flat to the block on both sides . Be sure not to over tighten the bolts when you install the gasket . I lightly snug the 4 larger corner bolts first and then the side ones starting in the middle and doing 1 at a time on each side working to the ends . Just tighten them lightly and move to the next one . I do it 3 times and Do Not Over Tighten them !
Good Luck
Bill
Good Luck
Bill
#17
Burning Brakes
And Another Thing !
While you have it on the block without a gasket put the 4 corner bolts in snug and take the big end of a punch and tap down the bolt holes in the pan . This is caused by over tightening the pan bolts .
Bill
Bill