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Technical Best SBC oil pan gasket?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Phil P, Sep 11, 2025.

  1. Phil P
    Joined: Jan 1, 2018
    Posts: 548

    Phil P
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Like the ***le says is there a better oil pan gasket? I seem to be getting oil leaking around the outside of 2 end bearing caps. I think the crank bearing seal is OK because the back of the flywheel is dry. I tried some UV dye in the engine oil but it really didn't show anything obvious. The date code on the block makes it a 1962 service replacement.

    Phil
     
    turboroadster likes this.
  2. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 9,203

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    Don't think you can go wrong with Felpro brand, maybe they have one piece, helps in the corners
     
    Hudson31 likes this.
  3. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,472

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    As they say "YRMV" but........I bought one for my new aluminum sbc, didn't survive the first dyno pull, I wanted it so badly, was $30.00 if I recall correctly, builder said he saved it so I could throw it in the trash..........thanks for that!
    He used the regular Felpro gasket set.
     
    anothercarguy likes this.
  4. skooch
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 754

    skooch
    Member

    You might try “best gasket “, super quality.
     
  5. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,990

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Off shelf , Most auto parts stores
    Fel Pro , One piece , Correct #
    Or Other Brand Name One piece
     
    2OLD2FAST and VI Lonewolf like this.
  6. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,799

    ClayMart
    Member

    Stock OEM pan, alumnum, aftermarket, imported, chromed? Place the pan, with no gaskets or seals on the pan or mating suface of the block. Check for flatness and squareness. If the pan is tweaked it probably won't be readily fixed.

    Also check that the bolt holes aren't distorted from overtightening. You may be able to nurse them back into shape with a ball peen hammer against a wood block, a least to some degree.

    How are you venting the crankcase?
     
    lothiandon1940 and MAD MIKE like this.
  7. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 34,082

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    some interesting info:SBC OEM oil pans made 1955- 1974 used thin seal gasket / SBC OEM oil pans made in 1975 and later used the thick seal gasket / most aftermarket oil pans use the thick seal gasket "thin" 1/4" - "thick" 3/8"
     
    VI Lonewolf likes this.
  8. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,799

    ClayMart
    Member

    I think the side rail gaskets were the same between the two styles. Only the rubber end seals went from thin to thick, and that was maybe only on the front seal to the timing cover, maybe? As I recall, GM once initially offered two different pan gasket kits. And later the aftermarket offered one kit for both styles with both the thick and thin front seal. Thinking that eventually GM did too.
     
    lothiandon1940 and David Gersic like this.
  9. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,990

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Older Kits came with
    Multiple chain/ front pan & rear main seals . I believe 4 different,
    Do not know about New Pan gasket kits.
    I use the One piece Pan gaskets for like last 20 years
     
  10. Phil P
    Joined: Jan 1, 2018
    Posts: 548

    Phil P
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've have a pvc valve connected from the rear top crankcase hole where the road draft would have been to the intake manifold. The pan is a aftermarket Dorman steel pan so fit could be an issue.

    I'm going to tackle this at the next oil change and wanted to have a new gasket ready to go.


    Phil
     
  11. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,799

    ClayMart
    Member

    The pan might be questionable but in general Dorman parts seem to be better quality than a lot of aftermarket stuff. But check it anyway.

    I'm ***uming the PCV is then vented thru a valve cover or oil fill tube with a vented cap . . . ?
     
  12. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,990

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Like @jimmy six
    Clean good with Brake clean so no Oily residue , before Gasket install
    Still should use drop of sealant 4 place's
    2
    @ chain cover to block & 2 @ main cap to block
     
    2OLD2FAST likes this.
  13. grdra1
    Joined: May 20, 2013
    Posts: 681

    grdra1
    Member

    Felpro one piece is the only way to go. Glen
     
    2OLD2FAST likes this.
  14. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 9,834

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    I have the one piece on one SBC and 4 piece on the other. Neither leaks, but both use black RTV in the corners when installed to ensure a good seal.
     
    2OLD2FAST likes this.
  15. wheeltramp brian
    Joined: Jun 11, 2010
    Posts: 3,348

    wheeltramp brian
    Member

    If I had the choice I would never use the four piece gasket again. The one piece just works so much better for me
     
  16. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 6,062

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    Probably a problem with the installer , not the product .
     
    Fordors likes this.

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