Oil Pan Gaskets

[Gregor]

Nvonda, Terrific website, thanks I really liked it. I think I am as close to understanding this now as I can get. Just to review: Keep in mind, engine is in car. I plan on a dry run of putting up the clean filler block, dry gaskets, and pan. That way I will see what I think is correct.
You said a great idea, put the side pan gaskets in place with my silicone and hold them in place with the pan. Once dried, remove the pan, then attach the new front cork gasket to the filler block. When dried, install the filler block with gasket and compress that in place, it takes compression because the newly installed side gaskets go UNDER it?? If I have that all correct, put silicone on the rear cork gasket, press it into place, put silicone on the surfaces of the side gaskets, the front filler gasket and the rear cork gasket and put up that oil pan..................thank God! I know this is anal but I have read many different versions and inputs and hope one of you can tell me this IS a good enough approach. Thanks in advance.
Gregor

[nvonada]

Gregor,
Thanks! I think you have it right. The little tabs on the side gaskets go into the filler block slot (Or should. Mine were way too wide so I had to trim them). The cork on the end gets squeezed on top of it. The rest of your plan seems good to me. Of course I only ever did the one so I am hardly an expert. Keep in mind these used to be put together with nothing better than Permatex as a sealer. If you use good silicone on all places where parts meet it will probably work just fine. Doing it in the car will be not fun but at least you can. In my car the planar suspension makes that impossible.
Nathan

[Gregor]

My Saturday has been shot! HELP!!! AND I MEAN HELP!!! You guys have a ton of knowledge on Stude's and I have none but I NEVER thought this REAR CORK PAN Gasket could cause as much of a problem as it has. It has brought me to my knees. Please keep in mind I am working under the engine (still in car) and it is a 6 cylinder. I cannot in any way shape or form, get this cork to fit. I dont know how much to sand off the edges or at all, I have been under that car for two hours on my back just trying a dry run without sililcone and cannot make any progress. I have tried the "thin Spatula" that some here has used but to no avail. I know there's got to be a secret! Is there anyone out there that can share that secret ? I am literally stopped on this and really frustrated.
CAn I sand down or trim the inside two edges of the cork? If so, by how much?
ANY and I mean ANY advice will be appreicated.
Thanks,
Gregor

[nvonada]

If all else fails try preforming the gasket a bit. I would try two steps. Soak the gasket in water for a while then wrap it around a soup can or something to get a curve to it. When that dries soak it again then flatten the gasket by putting a heavy weight on it or maybe gently squeezing in a vice. Don't crush or break it though.

If you are really, really desparate you probably could bevel the side of the gasket a little. A sharp knife would work or maybe sandpaper. You will be filling in with silicone anyway. Good luck!

[Gregor]

Thanks NVONADA, I appreciate all your help. I ended up pushing the filler piece with the cork on it, like your photo, into place, then marked on the side pan gaskets that were already in place with a pen. Then cut that extra piece out on both sides of the filler. I used Ultra Black to form the replacement gasket on the filler, both surface and tops that now sit against the block with no gasket between them. On the rear 7/16 by 7/16 cork gasket, I built a jig that would allow me to sand off a bit of the side(thickness) of the gasket evenly and put it in with Ultra Black, and bingo! PERFECT!.
Thanks for putting up with my rambling!
Gregor

[nvonada]

Sounds good! I am glad you got it in.