Hey guys, I was installing a new oil pan gasket on a 302 out of an 86 Thunderbird. The issue I'm having is the end seals. The rear has a recess in the block for the little tab on the seal to go down in, but the front of the block does not have the recess, so the bottom tab on the seal won't go down where it's supposed to, it just folds over. Should I cut that tab off with a razor blade? I don't recall seeing a block without that recess on one end, but who knows, i do get hit in the head a lot. All of the gaskets I have seen have this tab. I did check to make certain there wasn't RTV filling it up. I cleaned it with a wire brush on a dremel and it's just flat, not recess.
You can trim it down so it doesn't cause a problem. If you're not using the 1 piece pan gasket, I would recommend you do so. They cost more but they are way better. The 86 is new enough for the 1 piece to be the correct application.
I ordered a Fel-Pro 1 piece gasket today from Summit, but it looks like it also has the tabs. At least on one end.
My motor has the tabs at front and rear. I dont always trust them, so i've put a dab of silicone at all 4 corners when installing mine. Havent had any issues, so at least for me it works. I'd say if your motor doesnt have the notch, give it a close shave and some silicone and call it good
Thanks guys. If the new gasket I ordered has the tab, I'll just shave it off and add a thin skim of silicon to the bottom, then do the typical 4 corners. Not much else I can do. I just can't recall ever seeing a SBF block that didn't have the recess on both ends. Weird.
Just FYI...After further examination, I figured out the reason it doesn't have the recess. The recess is actually on the timing cover, not the block. I changed the timing cover to one from a 1990 LTD Crown Victoria in order to change the water pump rotation. The crown vic timing cover doesn't have the recess, the original 86' cover does.
The Right Stuff sealant is good for corners on pans and intakes. Doesn't take much and has a 5-minute working life.
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