[jstaten]

I just dropped a new 350 in my k10 chev. It runs great but I am noticing my oil pan is leaking in the rear and in the front at timing cover. the old engine never leaked a drop of oil and the only thing I have done diffrently is the oil pan is off another motor and the high volume oil pump. Have I created a leaky monster by putting in this oil pump or could it just be this oil pan is not fitting as snuggly as the other one. My oil pressure at start up is running close to 60,70 pounds and after its warm at idle, the pressure hovers around 20 to 30 pounds...at start up is this to much oil pressure. I have considered dropping the pan and replacing the oil pump and pan with the others i have, the oil pump is new but a stock one. thanks

[predator carb guru]

oil leaks where you describe them are not oil pressure related. most likely wrong pan or wrong gaskets. i don't remember what years chevy used what, but i do know that there are "thick" end gaskets, and "thin" end gaskets. you have to use the correct one for your application. i can put them together blindfolded with a bucket of parts and get them right every time, but i can't for the life of me remember which ones are for which year of motors.....................other things is: did you use any sealer at the corners of the gaskets? are you sure you lined the gaskets up correctly? (ends of them have little notches to match up) if not, that could be the whole problem. i've gotten away from using multiple piece gaskets since they now have the one piece ones. those are WAY better, and i haven't had one leak yet.

[joe350s10]

my 350 has 75 psi at start up and under heavy acceleration and around 45-50 at idle when warm so I would say the pump isn't the issue. i have yet to have a leak.

The problem is probably in the gaskets for the oil pan. if you bought the cheap ones, well...lesson learned. try getting some good quality gaskets.

Also, make sure that the pan surface is clean and not beaten up. a clean straight surface is the only way to get a good seal.

If the pan is in bad shape, don't try and straighten it, just get a new one.

But definitely getsome high quality gaskets....ALWAYS.

[jstaten]

I put the gaskets on correctly and dabbed the sealant in the corners...thats why I was thinking it had to much oil pressure. Its an mid 70's motor so the gaskets were the thick ones. I havent had this problem before so I was just wondering about it before I go through all the work of pulling the pan again and again. Like I said my other 350 which developed a knock never leaked a bit even after changing the pan and pump, but this new motor does...I will replace the pan and the pump tommorow weather permitting. thanks for the heads up on the one peice gaskets.

[GoneNova/406]

you get 2 seals in your gasket set for the front of your oil pan.one thin and one thick.put your pan in place on the block upside down on a stand if you can,if you can't, on the engine is fine.slip a feeler guage .006"-.010" between the block and pan where the seal is,if it goes thru you have the wrong seal.get the thick one.
by david vizard,,how to build your small block chevy,among various other books.