I just picked up a 87 z and the previous owner put a 383 stroker in it. The motor has sat for 4 years in the car unfinished when I got the car 2 weeks ago. I got the motor running and noticed a small puddle of oil under the car. come to find out its the oil pan gasket is leaking from being oil and brittle, typical cork gasket. Well I removed the engine to change the gasket since the motor has a 7 quart deep sump pan. I changed out the gasket for a Felpro Perma dry plus 1 piece oil pan gasket. Has anybody has a problem with these gaskets? I reinstalled the motor and after I get everything done bolted up and ready to fire I notice that the pan is leaking again. I double checked all the bolts and even the new oil pan when it was off the engine. Everything seemed fine. Motor hasnt even been started and it dripping bad.

 

I really like those gaskets. Did you add the RTV in the couple places the recommend?

 

No i did not cause it fit so well.

 

I believe this is the right sheet but they recommend a little RTV on the tabs front and back. I always do it and no leaks.

http://fme-cat.com/livedocs/CI1898.pdf

 

Ok. I did not put any there and that seems to be were its coming from on the rear. So can i reuse this gasket if its not torn?

 

You probably can considering you have not heat cycled it.

 

You should be fine to re-use it, but take this opportunity to inspect that gasket for being hit by the crank. Depending on how long it ran it may only have a few tears in it. I have the stroker crank also and it hit the gasket, tore it up and some of those pieces started to show up in my oil filter. That caused me to have to tear it down again, clean up the mess it made (which took forever) then I had to take cutters to the gasket to clearance it. Word of advice, dont try a grinder on it, you'll get blue rubber and plastic dust everywhere. Which takes even longer to clean up.