The Ford Barn

cjc56 · 11-07-2014, 07:44 AM

Back to the old topic: Do you use sealer or not on the oil pan gasket and do you use it on both mating surfaces. I have heard so many pros and cons about this topic on newer engines but I now have to put a gasket on my 56 312. What procedure is correct for the 312 and if sealer is used, what is the best kind of sealer and where is the sealer applied? I am using the Felpro cork gasket that comes in their engine gasket kit.

zoegrant · 11-07-2014, 08:57 AM

CJC56......I have used the cork gasket on 292/312 engines with good success....I would recomend thread sealer on the bolts as the oil can spiral down the threads and drip off the bolt heads.I have never used s a sealer on the pan or the block but I feel that it would be a good idea to put it on one or the other but not both in case you had to drop the pan again....just my 2 cents worth.........J in CT

Ford blue blood · 11-07-2014, 09:32 AM

I use Permatex non hardening sealer on the pan rail only and that is to make sure it stays in place while installing.

Ole Don · 11-07-2014, 09:38 AM

Clean the block with a scraper, then a 3M pad. Clean the oil pan the same way. Tap the bolt holes down over a vice opened to about three inches. When the pan surface is clean and dry, put a small stripe of yellow 3M trim cement on it, and put the gasket in place and give it a few minutes to dry in place. When the gasket no longer wants to move, put some WD 40 on the top of it. Now the new gasket will seal if you dont over tighten the bolts, and it will come off clean the next time.

y'sguy · 11-07-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Don

Tap the bolt holes down over a vice opened to about three inches.

Not sure what you are writing here?

dmsfrr · 11-07-2014, 12:10 PM

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Originally Posted by Ole Don

Tap the bolt holes down over a vice opened to about three inches.

Quote:

Originally Posted by y'sguy

Not sure what you are writing here?

If the oil pan bolts have ever been over-tightened the sheet metal flange around the bolt holes will be dimpled up toward the block. This will cause oil leaks past the gasket between the bolt holes and/or a crushed leaking gasket under the bolt heads.
Ole Don is recommending (and me too) that the dimples be carefully hammered back down to create a good flat surface on the gasket flange of the pan.

cjc56 · 11-07-2014, 12:14 PM

So the overall advise seems to be to NOT put sealer on the gasket to block but to put it just on the gasket to pan after straightening the pan lip. I will go with that unless some one has other advise. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!

dmsfrr · 11-07-2014, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjc56

So the overall advise seems to be to NOT put sealer on the gasket to block but to put it just on the gasket to pan after straightening the pan lip. I will go with that unless some one has other advise. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Yes.
Cleaning an old gasket off the oil pan out from under the car is MUCH easier than working over your head under the car to scrape sealer off the block.
IF you're really wanting something on the block surface of the gasket a thin film of oil, grease or something that will come off real easy is good.
Same deal with the valve cover gaskets, glue them to the cover only and several years from now you can scrape the old gaskets out on your workbench, instead of accidentally losing pieces of crud in the heads and making your back sore leaning over the fenders for longer.

Use good thick washers on the oil pan bolts so they stay flat too. If they're already bent hammer them flat or get newer/better ones. If they're still curved a bit put the center high side to the bolt head. Don't over-tighten or you'll end up back where you started.

Ole Don · 11-07-2014, 07:26 PM

I like the 3m trim adhesive on the pan and rocker covers, then WD40 on the gasket. I have been using the same rocker cover gaskets for years. On the pan bolts, when tightening the bolts, watch the gasket. As soon as if starts to come out next to the bolt, stop. Check them later with 1/4 drive.

Blackpearleb434 · 11-07-2014, 09:55 PM

Not sure if anyone mentioned to put thread sealer on the two bolts on the rear main seal housing as they aren't captive like the rest of the bolts holes and go through to the dump

Blackpearleb434 · 11-08-2014, 12:00 AM

Sorry... I mean sump!!

A bones · 11-21-2014, 06:39 PM

Another area to pay attention to is the fit of the bolts through the gasket. I like to check for over tight holes, modify if (snug fit is good, a need to use excess force not good) necessary. Use the bolts or an X-acto my favorite is an old hand held reamer. Then after straightening panrail and coating with sealer of choice, I use a small wallpaper roller (with four bolts, one near each corner) to seat the gasket to the pan rail. The rest depends on your environment.

oj · 11-29-2014, 08:08 AM

I redimple the bolt holes to get them above the rails and coat the rails with permatex ultra seal and set the gasket in place, stick a bolts thru each hole and use small spring clamps to get gasket tight to the oil pan. I let it cure until the next day then install with ultraseal on the gasket to engine block surface (I smear the sealant so that it is thinner to the inside and thickkest outside to minimize sealant into the pan), wipe clean any excess after pulling the bolts up tight.
I hate cork gaskets and try to find rubber or felt, for an odd engine i'd try to locate the marine version and use thier gasket.

11-07-2014, 07:44 AM	#1
cjc56 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 123	sealer or not on oil pan gasket Back to the old topic: Do you use sealer or not on the oil pan gasket and do you use it on both mating surfaces. I have heard so many pros and cons about this topic on newer engines but I now have to put a gasket on my 56 312. What procedure is correct for the 312 and if sealer is used, what is the best kind of sealer and where is the sealer applied? I am using the Felpro cork gasket that comes in their engine gasket kit.

11-07-2014, 08:57 AM	#2
zoegrant Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tolland CT Posts: 773	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket CJC56......I have used the cork gasket on 292/312 engines with good success....I would recomend thread sealer on the bolts as the oil can spiral down the threads and drip off the bolt heads.I have never used s a sealer on the pan or the block but I feel that it would be a good idea to put it on one or the other but not both in case you had to drop the pan again....just my 2 cents worth.........J in CT

11-07-2014, 09:32 AM	#3
Ford blue blood Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 817	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket I use Permatex non hardening sealer on the pan rail only and that is to make sure it stays in place while installing. __________________ Bill, certified Ford nut. 2016 F-150 2016 Focus 08 Shelby GT500 57 Ford Ranchero 36 Chevy, 351C/FMX, 8", Mustang II

11-07-2014, 09:38 AM	#4
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket Clean the block with a scraper, then a 3M pad. Clean the oil pan the same way. Tap the bolt holes down over a vice opened to about three inches. When the pan surface is clean and dry, put a small stripe of yellow 3M trim cement on it, and put the gasket in place and give it a few minutes to dry in place. When the gasket no longer wants to move, put some WD 40 on the top of it. Now the new gasket will seal if you dont over tighten the bolts, and it will come off clean the next time.

11-07-2014, 12:14 PM	#7
cjc56 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 123	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket So the overall advise seems to be to NOT put sealer on the gasket to block but to put it just on the gasket to pan after straightening the pan lip. I will go with that unless some one has other advise. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!

11-07-2014, 07:26 PM	#9
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket I like the 3m trim adhesive on the pan and rocker covers, then WD40 on the gasket. I have been using the same rocker cover gaskets for years. On the pan bolts, when tightening the bolts, watch the gasket. As soon as if starts to come out next to the bolt, stop. Check them later with 1/4 drive.

11-07-2014, 09:55 PM	#10
Blackpearleb434 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Belmont, Western Australia Posts: 71	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket Not sure if anyone mentioned to put thread sealer on the two bolts on the rear main seal housing as they aren't captive like the rest of the bolts holes and go through to the dump

11-08-2014, 12:00 AM	#11
Blackpearleb434 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Belmont, Western Australia Posts: 71	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket Sorry... I mean sump!!

11-21-2014, 06:39 PM	#12
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,284	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket Another area to pay attention to is the fit of the bolts through the gasket. I like to check for over tight holes, modify if (snug fit is good, a need to use excess force not good) necessary. Use the bolts or an X-acto my favorite is an old hand held reamer. Then after straightening panrail and coating with sealer of choice, I use a small wallpaper roller (with four bolts, one near each corner) to seat the gasket to the pan rail. The rest depends on your environment. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

11-29-2014, 08:08 AM	#13
oj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 293	Re: sealer or not on oil pan gasket I redimple the bolt holes to get them above the rails and coat the rails with permatex ultra seal and set the gasket in place, stick a bolts thru each hole and use small spring clamps to get gasket tight to the oil pan. I let it cure until the next day then install with ultraseal on the gasket to engine block surface (I smear the sealant so that it is thinner to the inside and thickkest outside to minimize sealant into the pan), wipe clean any excess after pulling the bolts up tight. I hate cork gaskets and try to find rubber or felt, for an odd engine i'd try to locate the marine version and use thier gasket.