Oil pan front sealer

W

wrndln

Well-known member
I am going to install my oil pan after assembling my engine soon. I am using the original style 2 piece seals for the front of the oil pan. I soaked the gaskets in oil for a few days, so they are soaked in motor oil. I know some people say don't soak and some say soak, anyway I did soak it. I have heard that it is best to add a small amount of silicon sealer (like RTV) to the junction of the front seals and the pan gasket. If I have oil on the front seals, wont the silicon compound have problems sticking to the front oil soaked seals? I can clean off the end of the seals with lacquer thinner, but will the silicon still stick and produce a leak free joint?
Thanks for any input on the concern.
Rusty Nelson
 
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After fighting oil leaks in several of my older vehicles, I bought two one-piece crankshaft oil seals for my 28 Model A and 41 Ford flathead from Macs. Both are identical, easy to install, and work great.

I did buy one from Speedway Motors for the 41, it was not a quality item and told Speedway about it. These one-piece seals are about $30. Last year, I pulled oil pan off the 41 to put in a Melling Hi-Vol oil pump, thought I would be replacing the seal. It still looked good, no distortion, ensured the drainage hole was aligned properly, put a little blue RTV on the bottom, and put things together, no leaks.

If I were to use gaskets, I would just use RTV, never soak as it's going to get enough oil to it, to swell up and seal a little more where it's needed.
 
Do yourself a favor and install the original front rope seal, I did this about thirty years ago and havent a problem since. I for the life of me don't understand why another type of seal is being sold.
 
Use the original rope seal with some Permatex #1 where the pan gasket meets it.Same on the rear.
 
Will Permatex stick to slightly oily surfaces (ends of rope seals)? I have some Permatex #2, what is the difference between #2 and #1?
Thanks
Rusty Nelson
 
The purpose of the RTV, in this case is not to stick to the ends of the rope seal. The rope seals will protrude past the flange of the oil pan and the timing cover and will fit tightly together. The RTV is to fill any gaps at the edges of the rope seals when the oil pan is tightened. the gaps may be caused by the protruding ends of the rope seals. I don't trim the ends of the rope seals and it is necessary to make some temporary studs to use at the front of the pan at the area of the ends of the seals. I use nuts on the studs to draw the oil pan in to place. When the pan is tightened in place the temporary studs can be removed and replaced with the correct oil pan bolts. It would be difficult to bolt the pan up because of the rope seal protrusion without the use of the studs. Some trim the ends of the rope seal but I don't recommend it. The tight fit of the untrimmed seals should be good for many years. Also I put a slight build up or RTV at the sides of the seals and let it sit for a while before installation to prevent the RTV from squeezing out. after the RTV sits a while it will be like rubber and conform to any small gaps when the oil pan is tightened.
 
Thanks, Purdy for the detailed information. Also thanks to others that have responded with good information. I will use lacquer thinner or brake cleaner to get rid of most of the oil on the rope ends before applying the sealer and installing the pan.
Rusty Nelson
 
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