Oil Pan Gasket Replacement...

[Zap]

When you say to fill the grooves and go along the outside of the mating surface, do you mean make two beads of RTV? What I was told to do is make a continuous bead, filling the grooves and making a circle around each bolt hole. Does this sound like it should be sufficient?

 

[Blackheart4355]

24 hours cure time?? Are you nuts? What the %^$#%#@$^&*!! am I supposed to drive in the mean time??

Not to mention how the blazes am I supposed to get home from the garage where I'll be doing this??

I think this needs a whole new re-think..somebody must have designed a cork gasket set for these...

 

[haydenm315]

good luck on cork. Your best bet is the rtv and finding a ride for a day. I used the orange copper rtv on mine. It's good up to 700F, not that the motor will ever get there, but whatever. It's very clean under my oil pan.

 

[Rockledge]

Blackheart4355:
...I think this needs a whole new re-think..somebody must have designed a cork gasket set for these...

I'm not recommending it, but if you try Napa, they may have something like that. When I was ordering the rod bearings for my SHO I asked Napa about an oil pan gasket and the guy handed me a large, full-fledged gasket (rubber, I believe). Not the two small end pieces like the Fel-Pro set, but one large gasket. I did not purchase it, I instead went the Fel-Pro/RTV route from the AutoZone. But as I recall it did look to me like it was something that you might be thinking about.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Blackheart4355:
24 hours cure time?? Are you nuts? What the %^$#%#@$^&*!! am I supposed to drive in the mean time??

Not to mention how the blazes am I supposed to get home from the garage where I'll be doing this??

I think this needs a whole new re-think..somebody must have designed a cork gasket set for these...

Relax.

Go to Napa, and find a sealant/gasket maker called 'the Right Stuff'

It works great, dispenses like cheese-wiz, and works instantly. ther is no 24 hour wait like the RTV. I have used it n many occasions, on the SHO and otherwise.

http://www.permatex.com/right_stuff/right_stuff1.asp

 

[luigisho]

Blackheart,

It appears that the shop manual instructions and the items included in the oil pan seal kit are not convincing enough for you. I am sorry that we could not improve the procedure to suit your sensibilities. Feel free to get some gasket material and when you find the better procedure, please share with the rest of us. I have used the outlined procedure and am satisfied with the results so far.

 

[SHOZ123]

If 24 hrs is too long then take it to a mechanic. They will have it longer.

Personally anyone who has one SHO as their only transportation is quite the gambler IMHO.

 

[masho95]

Couple things.. 24 hrs is really needed for the oil pan to be properly cured with RTV? Not doubting you, just double checking... Have to do rod bearings on a friends 89 SHO. As far as a SHO for a one and only daily driver, that's me. Been trying so hard to find a second car, but luckily the SHO has yet to leave me stranded when I've needed her.

 

[SHOZ123]

24 hours would be needed depending on the thickness of the RTV to be cured. If there is very little that was extruded out of the mating surfaces then 12 hours should be enough. RTV is not a slap it together and go sealant. Although I am sure some have been lucky and done so.

 

[Blackheart4355]

Sorry guys,

I just find it difficult to believe that someone hasen't come up with a better way to seal these pans. I think this "The Right Stuff" product may be the way to go on this. As for having a SHO as a dialy driver...why not?? Not all of us are independantly wealth...I mean it is a car...and cars are mean't to be driven so...what's the problem??

 

[jasonty]

You obviously haven't owned a SHO long enough... lol... thumb