[Chevy21]

Hi There

I have read many different posts on what the best way to install an oil pan gasket. After honing the cylinder and installing new bearings in the bottom of my 350, its time for the pan to go back on. So what is the best way. I was going to install the rear seals with blue rtv silicone and then install the pan gasket with silicone only in the 4 corners where the cork gasket meets the front and rear seals. Is this correct? Are there any other methods that work better than this. Also what about installing intake gaskets? I was going to use some Indian Head Gasket Compound or Hi Tac to hold the intake gasket in place and then put some silicone around the water ports and then fit the aluminum manifold on. Is this right? Any help is appreciated.

[RCastle]

Naturally,put the timing cover gasket on first, I have used Hi-Tak to set the cork rail gaskets for the oil pan,although I believe the best route would be to go out and buy one of those 1 piece all rubber oil pan gaskets they offer now. I wish I would have done that,next time I will. As for the mains,I have used the Hi temp red RTV to set the lip seals,On the intake,use some Hi-Tak to hold the intake to head gaskets in place,do not use the cheap rubber strips they package to put on the front and rear intake,they squeeze out and do not seal correctley,use a thin bead of RTV on the front and rear of the block to intake.

[Siggy_Freud]

For the love of mike get a 1 piece seal. Its a bit more spendy but you'll be SOOO glad you did. I used a little hi-tack with the gasket. Longer screws are provided with the gasket as its a bit thicker.

[edge]

Originally Posted by Siggy_Freud

... the gasket as its a bit thicker.

If you go one piece, be sure to double check your pick-up to pan clearance. If it is marginal with a normal gasket, the thicker one piece may put you over the edge. Ed

[spinn]

dont give me any crap here. i used hi-tak,didnt like working with it. and cleaning it off,for addition repairs sucks. you have to use talulene,and its purple ish yuck.

i have been using HONDA BOND. its a synthetic supersilicone compound. used it at the dealership,now i go accross the land professing its superior to other silicones and snotts. notice not one of my posts was about a leak.

in all seriousness HONDA BOND is a high temp quick drying compound that is responsible for answering some of my prayers

[Ghetto Jet]

Originally Posted by Siggy_Freud

For the love of mike get a 1 piece seal. Its a bit more spendy but you'll be SOOO glad you did. I used a little hi-tack with the gasket. Longer screws are provided with the gasket as its a bit thicker.

AMEN to that. I bought a regular 4 piece oil pan gasket then I thought, "use the best gasket the first time around." So I took the 4 piece back and order a Fel-Pro one piece.

With my intake gaskets I sprayed a coat of this Permatex copper spray on the gaskets and then I put Permatex ultra black around the ports and at the front and back of the intake. And uh, mine doesn't leak.