Oil Pan Gaskets

[1984SILVERADO]

First off I wanted to say Hi to everybody on this forum, I am new to the this forum and enjoy being a member. Getting ready to do an oil pan gasket on my 84 k10 with a 350 in it. I got a Fel-Pro permadry plus, but I don't like the way it fits. It's like it is to big on the timing cover side. It doesn't sit flush on the pan and it won't let you bolt it up on that side. I didn't really want to use the old cork style, but I might not have a choice. Just was curious what everybody was using?

[UPNADM]

Victor all the way...

[bowtiemanchevyman]

first, with the pan off lay the gasket on the pan, does it fit? if not you cant use it. you may has to use the four piece gasket. some pans use a thick gasket up front, some use a thin gasket. that onepeice u have is really nice i would go buy a new pan, that uses the thick gasket up front, i got mine from jegs for $40 and its painted black inside and out and work great.

[S10Fan]

The FelPro Permadry gaskets are the best out there. They come in 2 sizes depending on the pan size at the timing cover, large or small. I have those gasket on 3 small blocks and a big block, no leaks, no seepage, nothing.

[LEEVON]

Yes, the permadry (blue) gaskets can't be beat. You have to know a couple of things before hand though, which I learned the hard way. Like S10Fan said there are different front seal sizes, however I have found out that there are (3). Yep, (3) different small block pre-87 timing cover seals. You will need to measure down from the flange of your oil pan to the dip at the seal and go from there. 2 1/4" is thin seal, 2 1/2 is thick, and if you have my freak pan 2 5/8 is thicker yet.

The other thing is that your gasket, if it is the right size will seem like it's too thick at the front and rear seals. Have patience, work it on there slowly then put the 4 bolts in at the seals and start to snug it down. It will seal, I promise.

Don't use RTV on the gaseket itself, just a dab at the seal corners.

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums...t=17384&page=5

[1984SILVERADO]

Leevon where did you get your gaskets from and do you possible have the part numbers? The one I tried is part # OS34510T.

[Boostaddict]

Good luck. I have a 400 small block with an OEM oil pan in my truck. I had a bad oil leak since I got it. Last winter I pulled the pan a couple times to fix the leak. First time it was better, second time the leak was almost gone. I verified the flanges were flat, used a ball-peen hammer to recess the bolt hole areas (since they were beveled the wrong way a bit), cleaned the block/rear main/timing cover with brake clean and a razor blade), and re-installed with a new blue felpro permadray gasket. I only put a dab of RTV at each of the 4 corner notches per the gasket instructions. It still leaks a little and I believe its coming from the left side of the block (opposite the dip stick tube) in the starter area. Strange location for a leak. I know its not the rear main since I had the transmission rebuilt a few weeks ago and when they replaced the torque converter they said the rear main was dry. I guess its possible the leak is coming from higher up on the motor like from the left-side valve cover gasket or that corner of the intake manifold. Has anyone ever tried adding that UV dye to their oil to pinpoint an oil leak? I think that might be the most efficient way to verify my leak location before I pull the pan a third time. I was REALLY tempted to slather the permadry gasket with The Right Stuff this time and just be done with it (that stuff is awesome at fixing leaks, LOL). After reading this I guess I need to verify I actually am trying to install the right thickness permadry gasket too!

[1984SILVERADO]

Yes I have used oil dye before and it works awesome for finding oil leaks.

[Desert1957]

Felpro catalog and they show 5 SBC one piece gasket part numbers:

PN1881 1980-85 thick front seal RH dipstick; side rails trimmed for strokers
PN1880 1975-79 thick front seal LH dipstick; side rails trimmed for strokers
PN1885 1957-74 thin front seal LH dipstick
PN1882 Thick front seal straight side rails; side rails trimmed for strokers
PN1886 1986-97 thick front seal, one 1pc rear main seal GM bowtie short deck block
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Desert