Thread: I'm raising my engine this week-end - words of advice?

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Originally Posted by DennyW

I always liked the cork and rubber mixed gaskets. They make the thicker ones that do a real nice job. Just tighten them with care, and let them sit for awhile. Loosen them, and re-tighten them. Seal them on one side only. The rubber ones always stretch out of shape after you run them.

Actually, I read your post after the fact, as I have completed all my repairs over the last 4 days. More on this later. but for now, a few questions:

1- Why seal them on one side only?
2- Where do I buy the best quality gaskets? Not knowing any better, and thinking that I should find the best quality by ordering right from the Chevy dealer, I ended up with the cork gasket. I am now learning that I will from now on, need to do more homework and not just rely that Jeff will let me know if his dealership carries the best I can find for my car or not. I ended up with an oil pan that cost me $100 and looked (brand new) like it had been a pinata in a previous (and not so distant) life . WHAT THE needless to say the Pinata went back to Chevrolet and I had to do an emergency run to P.A.W to buy an aftermarket oilpan that was a little more up to my standards (straight and free of dents).

Live and learn...

So now I order all my own parts and drill all the manufacturers with 1000 questions before making any decision/choice/purchase...

I always glue the gasket to the cover. That way when its time to change them the gasket(hopefuly) will come off with the cover, and you can clean it off outside the engine bay. Less mess in the engine. You'll probably find dealer prices are a bit more than your parts store.

Faith,
Fel-Pro amongst others make good quality gaskets. Some prefer cork, others rubber. I prefer rubber impregnated cork as I feel it combines the best of both worlds. It is imperative that the surfaces are clean and free of any gasket residue. I have found that spray brake parts cleaner is cheap and very effective as it leaves no residue and that is very important on the head and block surfaces. I spray a thin coat of Form-a-Gasket on the valve cover/oil pan and use plastic clothes pins and old bolts to hold the gasket in place until the sealer has set up. Use the brake parts cleaner on a clean dry rag to clean the mating surfaces on the engine and don't over torque the bolts.

Fel-Pro makes a one piece gasket for the older model Chevrolet oil pans now. Similar to the GM 87 up style and the Fel-Pro ones work great. As far as oil pans ... I would rather have a GM original pan with a dent or two than a nice, new shiny after market pan. Most leak ... Moroso, Hamburger and those good quality ones not included ...

Deuce

Originally Posted by Deuce

I would rather have a GM original pan with a dent or two than a nice, new shiny after market pan. Most leak ... Moroso, Hamburger and those good quality ones not included ...

Deuce

Well, I saved my old pan, so far the new one is doing great. The GM pan i bought was a disaster as I said, very BAD quality. but I did save both my old pans (oil and tranny). Just in case .

This has been together over a year no leaks at least not yet.

Hey Charlie, what car are we looking at here? what make/year etc... Just curious...

Thats the underside of my 53 ford wagon. Its in my gallery. The engine was in my truck before. Sold the truck kept the engine.