I have a 350 four bolt main in my Camaro. I am going to be pulling the engine soon, to detail it, while the car is being painted. I want to add an aftermarket chrome oil pan, and timing chain cover. When I do this, I also want to use the one piece oil pan gasket. I am just wondering about which gasket to use. The old way of installing an oil pan dealt with the two side gaskets, and then a front and rear seal. There is a thick and thin gasket for the front. How does this come into play with the one piece gasket, and also, what determines weather or not the seal needs to be thick or thin?? Is it the oil pan that is used that determines this? Basically I want to be able to call Summet, and order a chrome pan and chrome timing chain cover, and the proper one piece gasket for this setup. I don't know if it matters, but the casting number on the engine block is 3970010.

Thanks for the help!

Keizer

I did a search, and alot of people say not to bother with the chrome oil pans and timing covers because they leak too much. As it is, this 350 in my Camaro does not leak a drop of oil, after 15,000 miles, and all the original tin. Maybe I will just leave it alone, and clean and paint the originals in place.

Keizer

I just went through this. Summit tech line told me that the thickness is determined by the pan. I believe up to 74 was thin and 75 and up was the thick gasket. If it is an after market pan check with the supplier what gasket is recommended.

I just went thru this. Out of the car should be easy. I like the one piece gasket and thickeness may not matter except you may not be able to get the original bolts to thread. I had to go to Ace and get grade 5 bolts a little longer. Also on mine there were 2 different size bolts. the ones in the front and rear corners are 1/2 inch and the ones along the sides are 7/16 inch.

I would go with a good quality oil pan and timing cover. Do not use the cheap stamped steel timing cover. They make some really nice polished aluminum ones out there about $30-$50

Also I opted to staty with the faactory oil pan, the pan hardley shows in the engine compartment, unless you plan on putting mirrors under the car at shows.

I actually only had one reason I wanted to pull the oil pan, and timing chain cover. That reason was, I wanted to install a gear drive while I had the engine out of the car for detailing. As it is the oil pan does not leak at all. The previous owner of the Camaro is a mechanic for GMC, and he built the engine.

I really should just leave it the way it is, and just clean it up and paint it. Then spend money on chrome add on's that you actually see.

I love the sound of a gear drive though!

Keizer

use sealer AND a 1 piece seal you wont have any leaks