Gaskets - questions

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

71 C-10 SWB

Any recommendations for intake, timing chain, valve cover and oil pan gaskets? For what it's worth I'm working on a 402, and the truck is being restored to mostly original.

I hear the best oil pan gasket is a one piece Fel-pro. I've read someone say you need to silicone the corners, but seems most don't use any sealant. What do you think?

All suggestions appreciated, thank you.

[SeanB242]

Just used a 1 piece oil pan for the first time. I didn’t use any silicone but the truck isn’t drivable yet so I don’t know if it’s going to leak. I can say it was a joy to install compared to the original type. It was felpro and has the spacers in the holes so you can’t “crush” the gasket. Intake gaskets were felpro but I used sealer on the ends instead of the rubber. I have a 2 piece timing chain cover so I just made a gasket out of cork gasket material.

[6T7 C10]

x3 on the Fel-Pro molded silicone gaskets. I recently put one on a SBC with no leaks so far. Easy to install and probably reusable within reason. They seem to be a high quality gasket. Much better than the old school stuff.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

All good to know thanks. At this point I'll approach the oil pan without sealant. I know it's required for the intake, though I didn't know rubber strips were an option.

On a side, these projects are resource intensive man. My engine block was pretty clean, but I'll spend a good part of three days for spotless, clean threads and that.......and it's on a stand. You figure it's worth turning the block upside down to install the oil pan? Spinning the block isn't a problem. Might see some oil spills - other unknown issues.

[davepl]

We used all Felpro and when done, hooked it up to a SnapOn smoke machine. Under pressure, smoke came out of about 4 different places on the valve covers and timing cover. All it took was a little hammer and dolly work, but they sure weren't beat up or anything.

Moral of the story is that if your mating surfaces aren't flat and true, it's going to leak no matter how good your gaskets are, so start with the basics!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by davepl

We used all Felpro and when done, hooked it up to a SnapOn smoke machine. Under pressure, smoke came out of about 4 different places on the valve covers and timing cover. All it took was a little hammer and dolly work, but they sure weren't beat up or anything.

Moral of the story is that if your mating surfaces aren't flat and true, it's going to leak no matter how good your gaskets are, so start with the basics!

That's meaningful, thank you. I took my valve covers to a body/paint friend to work out what I couldn't. I noticed the inside edges were somewhat warped from bolting it down. Thought it might work, probably not enough and now know better. I'll ask him to flatten the bottoms as well. I need a dolly set.

Cleaned up the engine today. Next up oil pan @ timing chain gaskets. I figure to paint with the pan, chain cover and intake on. Knowing me that's going to take a while. Painting by hand, POR15 Chevy Orange. I hear it's a nice affect.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Called Felpro on their one-piece pan gasket. He says "yes seal the four corners as per directions". Haven't bought the gaskets yet. I know a lot of people don't use sealant with the one-piece. I wouldn't fret about it.


For what it's worth, he says 12 ft. pounds torque on the pan.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

felpro, n use sealent on pan corners 4 sure. permatex ultra black

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Nice how to videos:


Timing chain cover seal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR8z21I68WA

Timing chain cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daa5bGZXYuk

Cork oil pan gaskets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUo-Ts4Acw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHyIPiAHR6Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuNuv6y2css

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MzHlqQFHcs