Question about dropping the oil pan

[81GrandPrix383]

Hey,

New 383 build with a crazy oil leak at the back of the oil pan.
The machine shop put the oil pan on and I didn't check the bolts like I should have.
Now the engine is in the car and I owe my wife a box of kitty litter. LOL.

I know I need to take the oil pan off and re-install the oil pan gasket.
My question is, can this be done without lifting the engine?
Has anyone done it? Any leaks?

Another question.
I'm using a one piece FelPro rubber gasket, do I need any silicone with this? if yes what flavour?

Thanks.

 

[sh1ft]

The best option is to lift the engine, but depending on your clearance you may be able to drop the pan enough to fix the problem. I would start by just trying to retourque the bolts in the correct pattern, maybe there loose. Btw good luck with it

 

[hurst1979olds]

Well what I usually do with a Felpro 1 piece gasket is on the arched part of the gasket I use a brown gasket schelac. Loctite makes some. I also put a bead of silicone on the seam were the pinch weld is on the timing cover and in the 4 corners of the block.
But what I would do first if just try tightening the bolts. Sometime it will stop the leak if the bolts were loose. Also I use lock washers on everything tinware on an engine. They will never back out and loosen up.

 

[RITTER]

You might want to make sure that the rear main isn't leaking as well :idea: If you use any gasket maker, the black RTV would be sufficient

 

[81GrandPrix383]

Thanks guys.
Tried tightening the bolts already but it didn't help.
The oil seems to be spraying out not just dripping.
I think the gasket pushed out of the opening.

 

[RITTER]

Be sure you are not over tightening them bolts. That gasket will push out from over tightening very easily. Those bolts only need like 8ft.lbs to seal. It might not be a bad idea to get the steel/rubber gasket. It cannot be over tightened

 

[pontiacgp]

You might want to make sure that the rear main isn't leaking as well :idea: If you use any gasket maker, the black RTV would be sufficient

x2...I had a leak and thought it was the oil pan and then I thought it was the rear seal, it ended up that the person who assembled the engine did not tighten up the 10 mm bolts on the housing for the rear seal.

another thing with an oil pan I like using studs instead of the bolts, easier to keep the gasket lined up properly

 

[bu*thang]

best bet is the one piece gasket also reusable and dodododo not put any type of sealant on it. if it is leaking there is some sort of problem improper install under/over tightened. Note even felpro itself does not recommend putting sealant or rtv on it. also makes the 1pc unreusable 🙁 so that defeats the purpose of spending the extra money on that gasket as they cost as much themselves as a complete gasket kit

 

[81GrandPrix383]

I just did an under the car inspection.
It looks like a lot of the blue rubber is sticking out in the corner where I think it is leaking.
Hard to say where the leak is as there is oil all over everything and I would rather not start the car again and let it idle because I still haven't broken in the flat tappet cam. (because of the oil leak)
The machine shop who put the short block together said there is no way it is the rear main seal as he never had one leak before and he builds mostly race and high performance engines for cars and boats. I know there is a first time for everything.
He asked if I tightened the oil pan as he only had the bolts finger tight. I did not.
This is why i tend to think the problem is the oil pan.
There was RTV used on the rubber gasket. It looks like the copper one.

There is about 1" between the oil pan and the frame. I doubt I can get the pan off with only an inch.

I don't have time to play with it any more until maybe next week.

 

[pontiacgp]

He asked if I tightened the oil pan as he only had the bolts finger tight. I did not.

sorry but who tightens bolts finger tight and leaves them without a note stuck to the pan or better yet a few bolts to hold the pan in place and the rest are in a bag attached to the pan.