I've got a new dorman oil pan for a 350. It is painted.
I've got a new felpro blue one piece gasket.

Should I sand off the paint on the oil pan gasket surface (and of course
clean the pan after)?

Or just install it as is over the painted gasket surface?

Some say install the gasket dry (felpro and other posts here), others say rtv the corners and round parts on either end.

I've got a small tube of permatex ultra black. Is that the right stuff to use?

I don't want to do this job again. Pan is off, engine is on a crane with wood shims.

Also, I noticed the motor mounts appear to be in poor shape, but I really don't feel like taking apart the suspension.
can the motor mounts be changed without removing the a-frames?

$100 ea for GM rubber mounts? How bad are the anchor brand or others? Anyone use the cheaper motor mounts?

Autozone had two poly mounts for $30 ea on discount table, is that a deal or not?

Many say replace the oil pump now. It was working fine, I thought...how difficult is it to install and prime?

Do the main caps get loose? Do I really need to check the torque?


Thanks for your wisdom.

 

I would rough up the oil pan gasket surface lighty with some 80 grit paper. No reason to get carried away and sand to bare metal.

Install the 1pc gasket dry.

If pan if off and engine has 100K miles or more replace oil pump now for sure. It's easy to do now, better to be safe than sorry later. 1 bolt holds the pump in place. The main cap bolts do not get touched.

 

^What he said.

 

Follow the directions that came with the gasket. I believe it says a little RTV on the corners near the timing cover and rear main seal. Other than that dry is the way to go.