Anyone use a GM oil pan gasket with success?

[turbobuick1]

Replacing my oil pan gasket. I've heard that the Duttweiler cork gasket rocks, a few (but not many) people have had success from using the blue rubber Felpro one, but you never hear about someone using a GM oil pan gasket.

Has anyone used one, and does it work every bit as good as the cork? I have an opportunity to pick one up for $10, but do not want to bother if it will leak in a thousand miles.

 

[turbofish38]

I have. The problem of them leaking is mostly installer induced. Most people crank the heck out of the bolts which distorts the gasket causing it to leak. See that big thick reinforcement on the pan rail of a 20 bolt oil pan? It's there for a reason. To evenly spread out the load along the rail. Which means you tighten the bolts down to the factory specified 88 inch/pounds of torque. Do it like this and it shouldn't leak.:smile:

 

[charlief1]

X2 with Eric. Most of the time it's overtightened. A trick I found out by accident is to use a flexable 1/4" drive extention about 6" long if you don't have an inch pound torque wrench. A cheap one works best because it's really flexable. When you tighten it down the extention will twist/flex when it's tight enough and you don't crush the gasket.

 

[turbobuick1]

I have. The problem of them leaking is mostly installer induced. Most people crank the heck out of the bolts which distorts the gasket causing it to leak. See that big thick reinforcement on the pan rail of a 20 bolt oil pan? It's there for a reason. To evenly spread out the load along the rail. Which means you tighten the bolts down to the factory specified 88 inch/pounds of torque. Do it like this and it shouldn't leak.:smile:

Thanks to both of you guys for your response. I was thinking along the same lines, that a lot of people overtighten the pan bolts, do so in an uneven manner, or do not bother clean the pan/block surface extremely well.

Going with the GM!

 

[charlief1]

Tad, You never did leave me feed back for the buy, BTW.

 

[8AV8]

The Right Stuff and cork has never leaked on me with girdled or ungirdled motors.

Those damn blue ones are a pain in the butt. ROL makes a cork one that is readily available in parts stores.

And RJC has the corks.

For the pan and the VC's cork has always worked best for me.

Post your results back after a few miles.

 

[turbobuick1]

Charlie, left ya some feedback; I thought I had already but I guess I forgot! With any luck I will do my rear main seal and oil pan gasket with the GM one this weekend, I will be putting 400 miles on the car next week so I'll know then.

 

[turbojd]

x 3 I've used the GM oil pan gasket without any leaking issues.

 

[turbofish38]

Last time I checked the GM pan gasket was discontinued. The blue one FelPro sells is identical to the gray GM part so that might be the way to go if you're in a hurry. I do have a source for the discontinued GM part if you need one. PM or e-mail me if you are interested in the GM part.:smile:

 

[SloGN]

I have used the Blue felpro pan gaskets for yrs with no leaks. The trick to them us make sure the pan and the rail are super clean and dry use lots or brake clean. Gently snug all the bolts until all of them are in and then torque them down to the 88 inch pounds or whenever you get the least little bit of tighting resistance. the key like somebody posted up above is use a 1/4 drive ratchet something that don't have a bunch or leverage so you can comtron the tightening of the bolt.