Oil pan gasket replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jetfixr · 03-23-2005, 11:06 PM

OK, pardon me for the dumb question. I have tracked down one of my oil leaks, looks like the major one is coming from my oil pan gasket. Is this sucker a pain to replace? Looks mighty close to the crossmember, but it looks as if I can pull the bolts and sneak it out of there without having to jack the engine any. Anyway, just curious if it was as straight-forward as it looks, or there were any "gotchas" involved. Do they make one better then the plain old cork style gasket that is on there? Also, does anyone happen to know the torque on the pan bolts? Sorry, for the newbie question, just never replaced one before.

*Randy70C-10* · 03-23-2005, 11:10 PM

Do yourself a favor and get the one-piece gasket. (I think Felpro makes it). Everyone that I've heard use them swear by them.

*screamin_c102* · 03-23-2005, 11:22 PM

I had to replace Screamins gasket about two months ago.

If you are dealin with a Small Block then:

Yes, it is a pain.

No, you can't squeak the pan out without jacking up the motor.

The nice part is that our mounts have 1 large nut on the bottom of the mount pad. take this nut off each side and lift the motor up.

The oil pump pickup hangs pretty low so you will have to lift the engine about 4".

I agree use a one-piece gasket, it will save you a hell of a headache.

While your in there replace the pump and pick-up as well for cheap security.

shifty · 03-24-2005, 12:00 AM

Do yourself a favor while you got it off - If yours has bolts, replace the bolts with studs. As I found when swapping my engine recently, having studs makes popping the pan on and off a snap! Just remove the nuts and the studs are there to guide the pan back into the perfect position. Add two nuts and the rest go on with ease....

WRMZ71 · 03-24-2005, 12:11 AM

Trial and error is the way I'd go with seeing if you can drop the pan without jacking it up. I dropped the oil pan in my 71 with a 350 and i didn't even have to unbolt the starter!!! yes they are right i'll never use the crazy style oil pan gasket again. That darn 1 piece is so much easier to install and it keeps the oil in alot better in my opinion.

CHEVIBUBBA · 03-24-2005, 12:29 AM

yes, do the one piece thing.i got mine from oriely's.i believe it was for an '85/86 vette.it's blue, cost about $50 & comes with some neat plastic studs that hold the gasket.you hold the gasket up, instal the studs then slip the pan over the studs.they have notches that will hold the pan up while you install the bolts.
you will have to jack/lift the engine.i suggest a hoist for clearance.

03-23-2005, 11:06 PM	#1
jetfixr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central CA Posts: 86	Oil pan gasket replacement OK, pardon me for the dumb question. I have tracked down one of my oil leaks, looks like the major one is coming from my oil pan gasket. Is this sucker a pain to replace? Looks mighty close to the crossmember, but it looks as if I can pull the bolts and sneak it out of there without having to jack the engine any. Anyway, just curious if it was as straight-forward as it looks, or there were any "gotchas" involved. Do they make one better then the plain old cork style gasket that is on there? Also, does anyone happen to know the torque on the pan bolts? Sorry, for the newbie question, just never replaced one before.

03-23-2005, 11:22 PM	#3
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	I had to replace Screamins gasket about two months ago. If you are dealin with a Small Block then: Yes, it is a pain. No, you can't squeak the pan out without jacking up the motor. The nice part is that our mounts have 1 large nut on the bottom of the mount pad. take this nut off each side and lift the motor up. The oil pump pickup hangs pretty low so you will have to lift the engine about 4". I agree use a one-piece gasket, it will save you a hell of a headache. While your in there replace the pump and pick-up as well for cheap security. Last edited by screamin_c102; 03-23-2005 at 11:31 PM.

03-24-2005, 12:00 AM	#4
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Do yourself a favor while you got it off - If yours has bolts, replace the bolts with studs. As I found when swapping my engine recently, having studs makes popping the pan on and off a snap! Just remove the nuts and the studs are there to guide the pan back into the perfect position. Add two nuts and the rest go on with ease.... __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-24-2005, 12:29 AM	#6
CHEVIBUBBA got boost? Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 123	yes, do the one piece thing.i got mine from oriely's.i believe it was for an '85/86 vette.it's blue, cost about $50 & comes with some neat plastic studs that hold the gasket.you hold the gasket up, instal the studs then slip the pan over the studs.they have notches that will hold the pan up while you install the bolts. you will have to jack/lift the engine.i suggest a hoist for clearance. __________________ '70 chevy lwb w/'67 hood. 357 s.b.c. built, 4l60 w/vigilante lockup high stall converter, edelbrock pro-flo,brodix heads,comp cams rollerized w/ belt drive, one piece d-shaft, yada, yada, yada..... '82 honda v45 sabre"the black"

03-23-2005, 11:10 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Do yourself a favor and get the one-piece gasket. (I think Felpro makes it). Everyone that I've heard use them swear by them.

03-24-2005, 12:11 AM	#5
WRMZ71 Cause the Chicks DIG IT!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 509	Trial and error is the way I'd go with seeing if you can drop the pan without jacking it up. I dropped the oil pan in my 71 with a 350 and i didn't even have to unbolt the starter!!! yes they are right i'll never use the crazy style oil pan gasket again. That darn 1 piece is so much easier to install and it keeps the oil in alot better in my opinion.



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