When do you replace pan gasket?

[Paul J.]

I have my 230hp on a stand. I replaced a cam and put the timing cover and pan on with new gaskets. Several weeks later I removed the pan and timing cover to check the cam, (the engine is still on the stand). I reinstalled the timing cover and the pan using the same gaskets but coated with gasket sealer, even the rubber ones. Now I realize I should have put RTV sealant on the front and rear corners of the pan gasket by the rubber. I am now concerned that the pan might leak. Do I remove the pan and just clean the gasket sealer off the rubber gasket areas and use RTV, recoat the cork gasket and bolt it up or has the gasket been on and off too many times and should be replaced? Or is the gasket sealer that is on it now good enough for no leaks? The sealer is GM gasket sealer the old brown sticky kind like copper coat but without the copper in it.
Thanks for any thoughts.

[Roy B.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

It's not that hard to remove and replace the oil pan later , so go for it.

[Verle R.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

I will disagree with Roy this time.

A pan set is not that expensive and it will never be easier than now. I would remove the pan, clean everything up and install new gaskets and end seals.

Just my opinion.

Verle

[Terry D.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

Paul

I agree with Verle, not that expensive and certainly never easier than now. Besides if you have a nice clean floor why not try to keep it that way! Just my old 2 cents.
Terry

[Paul J.]

Re: C1 C2 283 327 How about for head bolts?

Thanks for the feedback. From searching it seems like I should remove the pan in order to hold the crank while I pound the damper on to alleviate potential damage so I might as well replace the seals and gaskets.
Thanks again.

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 C2 283 327 How about for head bolts?

Paul

Please don't pound the dampner on, good way to start some serious problems. If you don't have access to the right tool you can do it the old fashioned way with a few long bolts a big washer. If you need more details e-mail me.
Terry

[Chuck R.]

Re: Case in point

Once upon a time in my OTHER life I purchased a six pack Challenger with a seized up 440

I pulled the power plant and re-built it myself. RTV was the new kid on the block and I just went ahead and threw the pan gasket on with the ole reliable Indian Head gasket cement.

Five minutes into breaking in the power plant, I had a noticable leak around the rear pan seal that I couldn't plug.

It wasn't fun pulling the pan on my back with crossmembers, motor mounts and steering linkages in the way.

Just do it now and rest easy as you'll have "other" more important things to worry about other than oil leaks when you run it up.

Chuck

[Paul J.]

Re: C1 C2 283 327 How about for head bolts?

Terry I don't have a threaded hole in the '61 crank. I regret not getting one in and tapped when I had it out. I still am considering taking it out and doing it after reading posts about the dampers coming off.

[Timothy B.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

Paul,

I would change the oil pan gasket, also make sure your using the GM rear main seal and that the main bearing cap is sealed to the block like it shows in the service manual. I had a small leak in this area so I pulled the oil pan and installed a felpro seal. The leak is worse than before so if your not sure of the seal that's installed, check the archives for some good discussion about felpro and GM seals.

[Paul J.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

Timothy its a felpro. I will check archives. Thanks. Do you feel there is a difference between GM and others like felpro in this day and age? I have seen a post that said a felpro kit had a GM marked seal in it.
Paul

[Timothy B.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

Paul,
I installed felpro 2900 in an attempt to fix a slight leak and it leaked worse. There is a better felpro seal and it's the same as GM #10121044, it may be felpro 2912 so check it out because it's no work at this point to correct. I am not trying to make additional work for you just stating my experence. If you google felpro 2900 I think there will be articles about others that have had the same experence. Check archives also for good discussion and don't forget to seal the main cap properly when the seal is installed.

[Page C.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

The Felpro #2912 is the best main seal along with the GM seal already listed for the small block Chevy. Cost about $12 more than regular rear seals but well worth the money. Places like Summitt carry them but you usually have to call and order it as they don't seem to list it in there catalogs.
Regards
Page Campbell

[Paul J.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

I definitly want to do everything I can at this time to prevent any leaks. I did not feel comfortable after removing the pan so often. I am getting a good education on the lower oil leaks.
I have been checking archives also and come up with felpro 2909 and 2912 rear seal as the best. I could not find anything about them on felpro site. An online auto store listed them both with $28 and $30 price respectivly. Any idea what the difference is? Material I am guessing. There is still one thing I am wondering about and that is the offset seal I came up with in the archives.
I am also convinced that the one piece pan gasket felpro OS34509T is the way to go also, that online store listed it at $38.

[Paul J.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

Forget the felpro 2909 rear seal unless you have a 400" that has been align bored.

[Joe L.]

Re: When do you replace pan gasket?

Paul-----

The Fel-Pro OS34509T 1 piece oil pan gasket is definitely the way to go. Plus, if you use this gasket and you have any need to remove the oil pan afterwards, you can definitely re-use this gasket with no problem. However, if the engine has been run for any significant length of time after the gasket is installed, then I would replace it if I removed the pan.