Topic: Oil Pan Gasket Replacement
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Former Member
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WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA
Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131
Vette(s): Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed
The oil pan gasket on my 78 is leaking. What is involved in replacing this gasket?
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Pappy's Toy
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Fairly easy job.
Step 1: Disconnect Battery
Step 2: Get front end of car up on jack stands or up on a lift if you have access to one.
Step 3: Drain oil. Pull the dip stick up a little too.
Step 4: Remove starter
Step 5: Remove flywheel shield
Step 6: Disconnect the steering idler arm and lower it out of the way.
This will get the steering component out of the way to allow you to get the oil pan out.
Step 7: Remove oil pan bolts and you may have to gently tap on the pan to break it free. Use a soft mallet.
Step 8: Scrape all old gasket material off of both surfaces. Remove end seals.
Step 9: Reinstall pan gasket and bolt the pan to the engine. Use a couple dabs of RTV where the pan gasket meets the end seals.
Step 10: Torque oil pan bolts. The 1/4" bolts are about 90 in. lbs. and the 4 5/16" bolts are 162 in.lbs.
Then just do everything else in reverse order. Fill with oil, connect battery and fire it up making sure the oil pressure jumps up quick.
If your engine has a lot of miles on it. It might not be a bad idea to toss a new oil pump and drive in there while its opened up.
I think I hit most of the steps here. Others will chime in with other tips and tricks.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
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Lifetime Member #26
johnu said:
Aren't most leaks on the rear of the pan where that "rope" seal wraps around the crank?
OP didn't mention leak at the rear of the pan.
He said.."The oil pan gasket on my 78 is leaking. What is involved in replacing this gasket?"
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Former Member
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WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA
Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131
Vette(s): Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed
Thanks,Sarge81, I do have several leaks around the oil pan including by the end of the crank by the bell housing. The oil pan is pretty beat up so I might as well replace it while I'm at it.
Pappy's Toy
Check the rear of the valve covers, intake manifold and oil pressure sending unit to make sure those aren't leaking downward mimicking a rear main leak. If they are dry, then yes you most likely have a rear main seal leak which is a little more involve to fix.
Does it drip a lot of oil while it's running?
Are there a lot of miles on the engine?
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Former Member
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WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA
Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131
Vette(s): Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed
Sarge81, the valve cover gaskets were leaking; but I replaced them and took care of that issue. I will check the other areas for leaks. I haven't checked to see if it leaks while running. The car has 86,000 miles on it; but the engine is not the original and I don't know how many miles are on it.
Pappy's Toy
That stinks that the true mileage is unknown. Hopefully when you drop the pan and start looking around it looks good. You'll be able to look up in the timing chain area and see and feel how much slack is in the timing chain too. Keep us posted on your findings.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Former Member
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WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA
Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131
Vette(s): Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed
Will do, thanks Sarge81
Pappy's Toy
Right on Sarge,you hit all the stops on the R&R of oil pan etc.
Also on you statements you offered in the later remarks...Have a great day.
Sal C
in Forum: C3 Engines
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