Oil pan gasket

[Kent1915]

I have a 68 500 that is marking it's territory at the pan. Lots of residual oil around the pan too.

I shared story of my car on here before but I'll do a short version. My dad bought it in 69. He was religious about maintenance with it until around. 2010 when his health started failing. He kept some paperwork. But when he died and the car came to me there was some stuff to do because it sat for basically 5-6 years (he drove it maybe twice in those years. I know gasket was replaced once in 80s but he had it done at a shop. No record since.

I have a replacement gasket from Clark's. I looked at shop manual but want to confirm. It's really a matter of dropping the pan, cleaning it off and installing new gasket? Any tips for those of you who have done this? I have been considering the pan stiffeners from Clark's too, I suspect previous replacement they were pretty zealous with the wrench and I suspect warped it a bit... Anyone try the stiffeners? Thanks in advance for tips.


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[joelsplace]

You need to flatten the area around the bolts that is probably bent from over tightening the bolts. A socket and hammer will work.
Wipe all the oil you can away on the engine cases so you don't get oil running down over the new gasket. Obviously clean the pan and engine case where the gasket goes. Look at the pan bolt holes to see which ones go into oil and therefore need sealant. (between crankcase area and cam gear) I'm not sure any do but my feeble old brain can't remember. Use a very thin layer of silicone on both sides of the gasket and install the pan with the bolts just finger snug. Let it sit 24 hours and then tighten the bolts to the proper torque. Recheck bolt torque at oil changes.
Lots of people will tell you silicone is from Satan but if it is used correctly it is great. Emphasis on "very thin"
The Clark's stiffeners are a great idea.

[terribleted]

I like Permatex #2 and a good cork rubber composite gasket from Clark's myself. Oil pans do not give a lot of trouble leaking if they have been installed well. It is very possible that your leaks are from the oil pan but leaks from the push rod tubes often present as oil all around the pan as well. Use a flashlight and look in thru the grill at the rear of the engine while pulling a thermostat door open so you can see the rear pushrod tubes. If they are wet they are most likely leaking. Look particularly at the engine block end. If they are pretty dry they are likely ok. It is hard to get a good view this way but you can see some. A better way is to remove the lower shrouds then you can see in there well.

[Kent1915]

Thank you both for the help!


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[bdutile]

Hey just to let you know, my 63 vair was marking its territory so I replaced the Oil Pan Gasket because thats what I thought it was. Some of the oil could have been that... but i turned out to be oil leaking from the gaskets on the oil cooler. The parts to do it are like $5 and it takes an extra 30 or so minutes to do so I would recommend it if it has never been done before. The part number is C123c at Clarks. http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/search.cgi?part=C123C
Good luck!

[Kent1915]

Thanks for that! Ounce of prevention....


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[triumphcorvair]

There might be some good info here too.

http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,1038754

[Kent1915]

Thanks!


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[bbodie52]

When installing a steel sheet metal oil pan, check to confirm that the mating surface is flat and has not been distorted by over-tightening in previous installations. Correct with a hammer and dolly sheet metal repair technique if needed. Use an inch-pound torque wrench to properly tighten the oil pan bolts. NOTE: The specification in the 1961 Corvair Shop Manual is 40-60 in. lbs. for the ¼-20 bolts. In the 1965 Corvair Chassis Shop Manual, the torque specification increased to 85-105 in. lbs., even though the bolt size remained unchanged).

NOTE: The oil pans on most engines form an oil sump for storage of the oil reservoir below the oil pan gasket line. The gasket on those oil pans must only defend against oil that splashes against or runs down past the top edge of the pan. The Corvair oil pan is different, because it is flat. The oil storage area on the Corvair is ABOVE the gasket, so the gasket must form a complete seal against a volume of oil that is stored above the gasket line and is constantly trying to find a way out — even when the engine is not running.



See page 6-20 of the attached 1965 Corvair Chassis Shop Manual - SECTION 6 - ENGINE for oil pan removal/installation.

[Kent1915]

Thanks. Appreciate the guidance.


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[triumphcorvair]

Would there be any benefit to replacing the bolts with studs? Other than the obvious one of not over tightening and possibly stripping out a bolt?

[terribleted]

Would there be any benefit to replacing the bolts with studs? Other than the obvious one of not over tightening and possibly stripping out a bolt?

Not really they would just stick down a hair more.

[triumphcorvair]

Ted, I think the pro would be the gasket would be easier to align as well as placement of the pan. The con would be they would just get in the way if the gasket needed to be removed and replaced (scraping old gasket off). Although when I've used studs before (not for a Corvair) I only put them on finger tight and they were always easy to remove.

[terribleted]

I never have an issue with gasket alignment. I put a light coat of Permatex #2 on the pan stick the gasket to it (holes are now lined up and put a light coat on the gasket and then install the assembly:)

[Kent1915]

How involved is push rod tube replacement? Got pan seal done. Waiting for couple days to fill back with oil... Stuff was super grimy and had to scrape sludge out of pan. Gasket was paper that was brittle and broke away in places. While replacing I looked in hell with thermo door open. I didn't see anything in there but if this doesn't do it I am thinking ahead...


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[joelsplace]

A lot more work than the pan but owners do it all the time. Lots of help here and I'm sure Brad can link us to a tutorial. If videos are your thing Dave Motohead has lots of Corvair videos on YouTube. I'll bet he has one on it.