One piece oil pan gasket

[Desert Nomad]

I'm replacing the oil pan gasket with the Fel-Pro one piece unit. Should I use silicone on the gasket or just put it on dry. I've heard just a little in the corners may be enough to hold it in. Just don't want to have to re-do it later. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Desert Nomad,:confused

 

[JohnZ]

Just use a dab of RTV in the corners - that's all it needs; you'll like the pan hold-up pins

 

[Desert Nomad]

Thanks JohnZ. That completes the pre-planning of this job. By the way, what are the pan hold-up pins?
Desert Nomad

 

[67HEAVEN]

Funny you should bring this up.

See this thread from yesterday....
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58050

 

[Desert Nomad]

Yea, I just read it 67Heaven. Sounds like fun, guess I'll find out. Thanks.

Desert Nomad

 

[JohnZ]

Thanks JohnZ. That completes the pre-planning of this job. By the way, what are the pan hold-up pins?
Desert Nomad

They come with the gasket - nylon threaded pins with barbs on them - you thread them into the pan bolt holes, raise the pan into place over the pins, and the barbs hold the pan up in position while you get the pan bolts started.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Those pins are really slick. I wish they would have had them years ago. Another option is to flip the engine upside down like this. (It helps if it isn't in the car). The instructions call for a dab of sealer in the corners where the rear main cap meets the block and also where the front cover meets the block. The rest goes together dry.

Tom

 

[Ken]

Hey, everyone's gotta have someone to make fun of, right? I'll be the goof-up here again, okay? :L

Tom, when I had the engine out last year, I had it on a stand just like you picture, all neat, clean and tidy, lots of room to move... no problem, right? Wrong - you still gotta PAY ATTENTION when putting the two pieces (pan to block) together. I screwed up and let the end piece at the front twist slightly. That was the reason for my major oil leak at the front of the block.

And we all know it's far easier to install a pan gasket with the engine out of the vehicle; sure is a PITA with it installed.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I'm sure not going to make fun of you Ken. At least not until after this thing is running and not leaking. :L