Louisiana Classic Truck Club

I need some expert advise. I started to PM GSFmech as he seems to be the local BBC guru, but I decided to post for input from all the local knowledge.

I am replacing the oil pan gasket on my GEN IV 454. It has a 4 piece gasket and I was wondering what is the best parts and method to install.

When I installed the existing gasket that is leaking, the engine was upside down on a stand. Now I am doing this with the engine in the truck. I have already removed the pan I just need to know the best way to prevent another leak.

A friend suggested I could just use RTV and no gasket, I don't think this would work on this engine.

What type gasket material was on there that leaked? Personally, I don't like cork gaskets. I'd rather have rubber, or "fiber" gaskets. Doing it in the truck can be tough, and speaking from experience, don't go with a one piece gasket. (if it's offered.)
Trying to get a one piece gasket glued to the bottom of a block is almost impossible to do by yourself, lol. I use carb cleaner to clean the oil off, use RTV in the corners, and gorilla snot (yellow 3m weatherstrip glue) to hold the gasket in place, but Mike, or some of these guys may have a better way. I've also seen people use "High tack" to hold the gasket in place.

def silicon the gasket to the pan first and let it dry, then put on the engine.

HuggerCST wrote:What type gasket material was on there that leaked? Personally, I don't like cork gaskets. I'd rather have rubber, or "fiber" gaskets. Doing it in the truck can be tough, and speaking from experience, don't go with a one piece gasket. (if it's offered.)
Trying to get a one piece gasket glued to the bottom of a block is almost impossible to do by yourself, lol. I use carb cleaner to clean the oil off, use RTV in the corners, and gorilla snot (yellow 3m weatherstrip glue) to hold the gasket in place, but Mike, or some of these guys may have a better way. I've also seen people use "High tack" to hold the gasket in place.

The two sides of the old gasket are cork the ends pieces are rubber.
Besides being difficult to install what kind of problems did you have with the one piece gasket?

GHBLUEHAZE67 wrote:

HuggerCST wrote:What type gasket material was on there that leaked? Personally, I don't like cork gaskets. I'd rather have rubber, or "fiber" gaskets. Doing it in the truck can be tough, and speaking from experience, don't go with a one piece gasket. (if it's offered.)
Trying to get a one piece gasket glued to the bottom of a block is almost impossible to do by yourself, lol. I use carb cleaner to clean the oil off, use RTV in the corners, and gorilla snot (yellow 3m weatherstrip glue) to hold the gasket in place, but Mike, or some of these guys may have a better way. I've also seen people use "High tack" to hold the gasket in place.

The two sides of the old gasket are cork the ends pieces are rubber.
Besides being difficult to install what kind of problems did you have with the one piece gasket?

That's it, it was just too hard to get in place. If the engine was on a stand, the one piece would be fine. Like 66chevyProstreet said, you could glue it to the pan, and if I went that route, I WOULD go with the one piece gasket, and be very careful to be sure that end pieces fit into the grooves when you bolt it up. That can be tricky at the rear main groove because it's hard to see, which is why I would rather put the gasket on the block. But that's just me, everybody does things differently.

"everybody does things differently."


x2 , go with what u know.

Ok........I went with the one piece gasket from felpro. I installed it this afternoon.
I'll have to wait till tomorrow to get everthing else back together, get some fresh oil in the crankcase and see what happens. So far I really like the one piece. It came with four plastic studs. I screwed one stud into each corner slid the gasket on over the studs and they are designed to hold the gasket in place while I positioned the oil pan and started a few bolts. Very nice. If it does not leak all will be good.

As far a RTV usage the directions said put a small amount on each side of the rear main cap where it meets the block, and on each side of the timing chain cover.

If no major leaks and with a little co-operation with the weather I plan on driving to Hawkins Texas for a little show and shine. I'll try to bring back a few pics.

I'm glad it worked out for ya. My set came with those studs too, but I couldn't make them do what they were supposed to do. Have fun at the show, hopefully I can join you soon!