Getting a leak free oil pan on SBC...

[musclecarmatt]

Hey guys...well I run SBC's most of my life and the majority have leaked somewhat.....just got done few months go pulling out my 357 SBC and installing new canton racing oil pan 15-250 and their one piece gasket 88-100 on the bottom end....apply sealant in the 4 corners used their stud kit and torque to 12 ft lbs....ran dry for first 1000 miles but has developed a leak around the back bottom center lip of the oil pan.....probably end up pulling the motor back out to fix this problem....anyone have any tricks to making a oil pan seal on SBC?...any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Matt

[Todd in Vancouver]

I've has some success using this;

http://www.permatex.com/products/our-brands/the-right-stuff

But it is a challenge on the SBC to keep them dry and clean.

[rchaskin]

Matt

On my motor, i ended up using a Summit 6qt pan.
Part number was SUM-PANKIT8 (nice part number!?!)
Which included pan gasket# SUM-G2332

All I did was glob (technical term) regular black RTV on the round parts of the pan where it mates up to the rear seal piece, and timing chain cover.
I did not use any RTV along the rails.
This gasket also has metal bushings around the bolt holes, if i remember correctly, to keep you from over tightenening.

This was for a 1 piece motor, but this thing has stayed absolutely dry for over a year.
I figure yours is a two piece seal. They probably have one for a two piece pan.

I was really surprised that this one was leak free, as you mentioned, most all leak some.

[Bad94]

I have a 2pc block with champ 8qt pan and fel pros 1pc gasket and mine leaks alittle in the back center too. About a drop a week, if that. I hate that it leaks but im not pulling the motor out again intill i have to.

[1966longroof]

I didn't use any RTV on my one piece gaskest. About 40k miles in the last 3 years......no leaks.

[musclecarmatt]

Matt

On my motor, i ended up using a Summit 6qt pan.
Part number was SUM-PANKIT8 (nice part number!?!)
Which included pan gasket# SUM-G2332

All I did was glob (technical term) regular black RTV on the round parts of the pan where it mates up to the rear seal piece, and timing chain cover.
I did not use any RTV along the rails.
This gasket also has metal bushings around the bolt holes, if i remember correctly, to keep you from over tightenening.

This was for a 1 piece motor, but this thing has stayed absolutely dry for over a year.
I figure yours is a two piece seal. They probably have one for a two piece pan.

I was really surprised that this one was leak free, as you mentioned, most all leak some.

Randy,

mine is the early 2pc block....did put fresh rear main seals in but that looks all good and dry.....mite loosen and re torque the rear of the gasket maybe it didn't settle right....so close to being leak free!

[musclecarmatt]

I heard a lot of people not using any RTV...and having no leaks then others have used it...heard it both ways..

[vette427-sbc]

Canton RR pan with the felpro 1pc gasket... RTV ultra black on the corners and a light smear over both sides of the rest of the gasket. Pan rail and block cleaned with lacquer thinner. (Same process for my perimeter bolt valve covers) This is the first time my SBC hasnt leaked :lol:

[another69]

It may not be a gasket issue, but a pressure issue. I did a one piece gasket and it developed a small drip. At the time I was running breathers on the valve covers. As soon as I installed a PCV system (with a remote breather and remote oil separator) not only did my oil stay cleaner, but the oil pan has been dry for years, along with the valve covers.

[musclecarmatt]

It may not be a gasket issue, but a pressure issue. I did a one piece gasket and it developed a small drip. At the time I was running breathers on the valve covers. As soon as I installed a PCV system (with a remote breather and remote oil separator) not only did my oil stay cleaner, but the oil pan has been dry for years, along with the valve covers.

I never really thought about that....I am running breathers on both valve covers...have for years....would be nice to run a good PCV system though...

[another69]

Its night and day. Oil stays cleaner, leaks and fumes are pretty much gone. I chose to tie one valve cover into a breather/separator tank and the other valve cover through a PCV valve, then through an oil separator and into the base of the carb. That way there is no way for any oil to leak onto the valve covers or headers. I drain a couple of ounces of oil from the separator every 1000 miles or so. It's also one of the cheapest and easiest mods you can do under the hood.

[rchaskin]

Its night and day. Oil stays cleaner, leaks and fumes are pretty much gone. I chose to tie one valve cover into a breather/separator tank and the other valve cover through a PCV valve, then through an oil separator and into the base of the carb. That way there is no way for any oil to leak onto the valve covers or headers. I drain a couple of ounces of oil from the separator every 1000 miles or so. It's also one of the cheapest and easiest mods you can do under the hood.

Do you have any pics of this setup?

[musclecarmatt]

Its night and day. Oil stays cleaner, leaks and fumes are pretty much gone. I chose to tie one valve cover into a breather/separator tank and the other valve cover through a PCV valve, then through an oil separator and into the base of the carb. That way there is no way for any oil to leak onto the valve covers or headers. I drain a couple of ounces of oil from the separator every 1000 miles or so. It's also one of the cheapest and easiest mods you can do under the hood.

the only problem with my street hp carb only got one port on back for power brakes or pcv valve...dont like idea of tieing in my pcv valve with the brakes...what kinda seperator tank u use?

[musclecarmatt]

Do you have any pics of this setup?

I also would like see the setup as well..

[another69]

84840

I hope that worked, I tried to attach a pic

[musclecarmatt]

84840

I hope that worked, I tried to attach a pic

very cool system...will be hooking my pcv valve back up...

[408maro]

sorry to bring back a old thread but im intersted in thissetup.. any links for parts? i to have no extra port for a pcv on my carb

[Wes.Drelleshak]

I use the thick GM grey to seal oil pan and valve covers.

Also look into leaks caused by rpm and or crank pressure backing up. I'm going to switch to dual breather setup that gets rid of the crappy valve cover breathers. They simply don't breath enough for pro touring high rpm engines and can cause leaks from excessive crank case pressure. Hope this helps. also if you like you like the black silicone for looks then I would recommend the Toyota stuff but good luck with getting the pan off after it sets up.

[Scott Parkhurst]

Canton RR pan with the felpro 1pc gasket... RTV ultra black on the corners and a light smear over both sides of the rest of the gasket. Pan rail and block cleaned with lacquer thinner. (Same process for my perimeter bolt valve covers) This is the first time my SBC hasnt leaked :lol:

Exact same story for me...

[MonzaRacer]

As for me I learned a long time ago NEVER run engine without some sort of crankcase ventilation under negative pressure.
If you run breathers run vacuum pump.
I was taught in school that to first check PCV operation if the car has oil leaks.
Man are you people failing when building cars. A least in some of them. spend $10k-$15k on engine and run less than road draft tube on blocks NEVER BUILT FOR ONE.
Come on guys, I have built engines from stock too 1000 hp and STILL install PCV system or crankcase evac system.
As for sealing up bottom end Permatex Ultrablack, 3M or Permatex black weather strip adhesive and good old Indian Head, oh and No1 hardening permatex for freeze plugs. Pretty much main choice in sealers. On newer machined surfaces I also have used anaerobic sealer/gasket maker but this only works on machine mated parts with less than 0.015 imperfection/variation.

Last 2 engines I installed onepiece on we used weatherstrip and Ultrablack too set it in place. I did on one engine used thin coat of Ultrablack smoothed on silicone seal as pan didnt sit down easy like i wanted and if you have ever has someone use silicone on BOTH sides of gasket, it likes too move around or even split.
BUT I have been building engines for years and used to use cork gaskets and never had major leaks, maybe once in while get small stain or something at corner junction. But since advent of the Ultra lines of sealer I have nearly no leaks.