Hi All-I've been searching the forum for hours now and can't find the answer (even though I think I saw it a couple of weeks ago, SO

I just bought a new cardone OE oil pan for 1985 305 vin H as the old pan started leaking out of the side of the sump(go figure) I just received the pan and the pan gasket I ordered (fel-pro os 34510 T)

I fitted it on the pan in my living room and the front timing seal portion is HUGE and would stick out of the timing cover recess by about 1/2 inch- IS this correct for my application? If so, anything special I need to do with this? (Note that the timing cover seal I received with the complete gasket set I have is about 1/2 the depth of this thing. OH, my dipstick is on the PASS side of the engine also
thanks-sorry if I missed an existing answer on this
tom1985

Also-the old pan had steel "rails about 1/8 in thick- should I reuse these with the new 1 piece gasket or not?

 

The thinner pan/TC seal is for early model small blocks. Somewhere around 70 was the dividing line, it varied across the different vehicle lines. (Camaro vs truck vs full-size etc.) The difference is the pan (TCs are the same in that particular regard).

I usually use gorilla snot on those. Dose the TC with it real good; dose the TC side of the seal; let it set up about an hour; stick em together. Then treat the OP side similarly. Use a bit of RTV in the corners.

 

Thanks for the reply but I am still confused-not sure if your saying this 1 piece gasket is correct and should stick out of timing cover and see a 1/2" of blue gasket before it touches the oil pan-also do I use the original "rails" with it?
tom

 

Should be the right one; if memory serves, that gasket has provisions for the dipstick on either side.

Yes the part that goes in the TC is VERY THICK. It's OK.

Not sure what you mean by "rails"; if you're talking about the reinforcement things that go all along the edges under the bolts, then yes, you should definitely use them.

 

I have just finished a 87 350 and a 96 LT1 and yes there is about 1/2" of blue gasket showing between the pain and timing cover.

As far as the "rails" go, like Sofa says, use them. If you don't the bolts can dent the pan flange and you wont get a good seal in the area between the bolts. I've taken off a few old style pans through the years that didn't have the rails and they have been like that.