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Topic: one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

in Forum: C3 Engines

one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/4/11 11:14pm Message 1 of 10
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Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Guys, which would you use if you have the choice?  My engine kit has the four piece cork and rubber set but I had already purchased a blue one piece (both are fel-pro).  I know the one piece is desirable for an in-car install (so much easier) but since my engine is on a stand, I don't think that's a factor.  I want the most leak resistant option.  Just looking for your opinions.  One other factor to consider: the one piece has already been installed, but not run.  There are some remnants of Ultra black permatex in the corners, but I've peeled all I can off.  Thanks!   daveo762011-08-05 19:08:57



 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/5/11 4:29am Message 2 of 10
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York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
Even though most look good in a two piece....If you don't want leaks use the one piece and ultra grey if you need any..

Rich



My first parade at Carlisle 2010

one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/5/11 5:46am Message 3 of 10
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Holland Patent, NY - USA
Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421
Vette(s): #1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker
Perfect timing, the motor is about to come out of the Red vette because the pan needs to be replaced.
Evil Smileebo



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one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/5/11 8:52am Message 4 of 10
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
the fel-pro one piece is the way to go, 55-74 uses the thin timing cover to front of pan gasket, 75 and up uses the thick one,  its the pan that dictates which one to use not the timing cover, for those who don't know what pan they have, turn the pan up side down and place it on a flat surface or right side up and use a straight edge and measure the middle of the fron t opening, 21/4" uses the thin one , 23/8" uses the thick.


one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/5/11 10:11am Message 5 of 10
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Elkhart, IN - USA
Joined: 10/7/2007
Posts: 209
Vette(s): 1975 Red T-Top 1972 Red Convertible

Last year the 75 started leaking oil and I though that it was a rear main seal. After I found that the motor mounts were bad I started to look real had for the leak. The oil pan was rusty so I took it off and wire brush it and found that it had a rust hole by the dipstick. Replaced the pan and put a 1 piece pan gasket on and now no leaks. the 1 piece makes the job real easy. Unless some one is looking at the pan no one will know it is a 1 piece gasket.

 
The
Herr's



one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/5/11 6:23pm Message 6 of 10
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Berkeley Springs, WV - USA
Joined: 9/10/2010
Posts: 44
Vette(s): 1979 4spd Cpe
 Felpro 1 piece unit is what I would go with. A little more on COST, but no seams that could eventually leak.I went this route his past winter, when I did some maintenance on mine.



Gary

79 Coupe, rare 4spd.L-48,Edlebrock intake and Performer Carb,Mcleoad Street performer clutch, Hooker Super Comp chrome headers/side-pipes, Foose wheels,mild cam.Custom leather interior.


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one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/5/11 7:06pm Message 7 of 10
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Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Thanks guys.  I heard all votes for the one piece and none for the four piece - pretty much what I thought, too.  But the reason I asked is after looking at similar discussions on some other forums there was considerable debate with many saying they had problems with the one piece units.  But this is the site I trust, so that is the way I will go!  



 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/6/11 9:05am Message 8 of 10
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
one of the problems is you still have to make sure your gasket rails are straight, where the bolts go through the rail are sometimes pushed up from over tightening and kinda looks like a raised cone and and when bottomed out on the internal stops in the gasket doesn't allow the sides of the rails to be tight against the bottom of the block and rails of the pan, might have to do some dolley work, put a straight edge on the rails run it front to back and left to right and make sure theres no dips or high spots.  anips2011-08-06 09:32:20


one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/6/11 8:23pm Message 9 of 10
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Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Yep, they were coned up a little at the bolt holes.  A little bit of light hammering with a ball peen seemed to take care of it.  After that the rails passed a straight edge test pretty well.  We'll see - installed the pan (with the one-piece gasket) on the block this afternoon.  Next step: install cylinder heads!  



 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Posted: 8/6/11 10:38pm Message 10 of 10
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Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Sorry for the blank post.  

Moderators - feel free to delete if you see this.  
daveo762011-08-06 22:43:15



 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

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