Oil Pan Leak

[ccford]

I'm about to replace my oil pan gasket due to a bad leak and just had a few questions.
I got a set from orielly with cork for the pan and rubber seals for the front and rear.

Should I put silicone on the cork at all? should i put some where it meets the rubber seals?
Should i soak the rubber seals in oil prior to install?


Also, i am planning on having to hoist the engine up a few inches to get the pan off. I know it will be a tight fit. just wondering if anyone knows if i will be able to clear it. (this is a 69 f100 with a 302 and an automatic c4)

also thinking i might go ahead and replace the oil pump while i'm in there, will i need to prime it prior to starting the motor?


also any other tips or suggestions to make sure i get this done right the first time would be greatly appreciated.


thanks for the help.

[fordman]

when i replace the pan gasket i try and use the two piece gasket. because if you ever have to remove the timing cover you wont have to cut the pan gasket to replace it on the front cover lower gasket area. i usually use weather strip adhesive to glue the cork gasket to the pan. i am speaking of a fe enigne. on the smallblock you could probably glue the cork to the pan with weather strip adhesive no problem. i doubt you would need it on the rubber. it probably would nt stick very good. silicone doesnt stick real well to rubber either. but you could put soem where the cork and rubber meet up just to be sure to fill and possible voids that may occur.

as far as will it clear the internals and the crossmember i dk. i have never done a smallblock in a truck before.

yes prime the pump if you can. it wouldn't hurt anything. or you could just pour oil into it when you replace it. that may be enough on a used enigne that already has oil in the galleries.

[ximy]

I have always... used a little silicone on the cork... just enough to wet it, hold it in place... let the cork do it's job.. and silicone Blue all around he edges where the cork and rubber meet. Use nothing on the rubber and do not soak the the rubber.

If you replace the oil pump (and screen), be sure to replace the drive shaft between the pump and distributor... they are notorious for breaking... and have had more than one fail on me over the years.

[ccford]

thanks,
great advice on the pump shaft, never would have thought of that.