[my oldcar]

When is it a good time to replace the oil pan. I tightend the oil pan I think a little to tight with a cork gasket. Engine leaked oil like the Valdiz Oil Freighter. So I pulled the pan and bought a 1 piece gasket. Worked great instead of the oil leaking from the rear of the motor like the cork gasket now it is leaking at the front of the motor. I don't know to go through the same thing again pull the pan and place a new gasket and oil pan or try one of those oil stop leaks. The bolt hole in the pan were pretty bent. I straighten them the best I could. I don't know what to do next?????????????? Help. Never enough time to do the job right the first time but always enough time to do it over again.

[jellybean]

In my opinion straightening the pan is always a good practice but using oil stop leak is always a bad idea.
Silly question but are you sure all the old gasket material is off of both surfaces? Even the tiniest bit can cause troubles.
You didn't specify what amount of torque you applied, most oil pans only need 15 - 22 lb ft of torque. Over tightening them causes warpage & consequently leaks. Under tightening would also cause leaks.
Best wishes

[ericnova72]

What engine and year?? There are specifics with some engines. If this is an SBC there are two different sizes to the pan radius that seals against the front seal lip at the timing cover.

[onebadmerc]

I know if you have a sb, FE or 385 series Ford and the timing cover is not flush with the oil pan rail on the block it will leak bad. What engine do you have and what year is it, this would be a good start.

[302 Z28]

The new Fle-Pro one piece pan gaskets have devices embedded which prevent over tightening, but it is always good practice to straighten the pan edges prior to assembly.

Vince