Re: 318 Oil Pan Gasket Install

["MO ( Steve Mick)" <micher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

With rear of engine oil leaks it is hard to determine just what is leaking 
for sure. It can be rear of valve cover gasket- rear valley pan- oil 
pressure sending unit, especially if there is a flex line going to a 
mechanical oil guage- rear of pan gasket ( may only need a slight tighten of 
bolts)  or that rear main seal.  I am going to guess the rear main seal can 
be replaced without dropping the crank. You may need to drop the steering 
cross link to remove the pan or raise the engine. Take some time and be sure 
where the leak is comeing from, it could be simple........................MO
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Pettitt" <john.pettitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 8:09 PM
Subject: 318 Oil Pan Gasket Install


> Guys,
>
> First off, I am a novice "Learning As I Go" mechanic.
>
> I have a 1965 Coronet that has had a nagging drip, drip, drip oil leak. 
> When the oil leaks, it runs down between the front of the transmission 
> bell housing, and the back of the oil pan.  The oil though, is running 
> down the bellhousing. I thought it was the Main Rear Seal, as I could not 
> find anything else that was leaking.  I have currently begun to replace 
> the front-end Steering and suspension.  While I've had it jacked up, it 
> has leaked a little more profusely.  I've noticed that the gaskets on the 
> ends of the oil pan are cracked and kinda broken in places.  You know the 
> ones I'm talking about, the concave plastic looking gaskets that overlap 
> the edge of the oil pan.
>
> I was curious about 2 things:
>
> 1) Could it be that the rear gasket of the oil pan is the thing that is 
> leaking, and if that is the case. . .
>
> 2) How hard is it to replace the oil pan gasket?
>
> I have a contact with my local Mopar club that is in the business of doing 
> frame-up restorations.  He has helped me out with some stuff on my car, 
> and I know he knows his business.  He advised that I should just let it 
> drip, as doing a Rear Main Seal job isn't always sure cure for an old 
> engine like this.  But I asked him the other day about the oil pan gasket, 
> and he said it was quite a difficult job, and he gave me a 1 and 10 shot 
> at getting it right the first time.  Since I have all the steering and 
> suspension components off right now, I thought this would be a good time 
> to replace the gasket if I was going to do it.
>
> Is it more than I need to bite off at this time, and should I just deal 
> with the drips, or is changing an oil pan gasket something that can be 
> accomplished without too much trouble.
>
> My friend is a great car builder, and knows his stuff.  I just thought I'd 
> get another opinion.    Thanks for any thoughts. . . .
>
>
> ----
> Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person --  
> directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and 
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>
> 1962 to 1965 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
> http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html and 
> http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/general_disclaimer.html.


----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!

1962 to 1965 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html and http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/general_disclaimer.html.