I have been reading alot about chrome oil pans, and timing chain covers that leak. Members here reccommend using the stock oil pan and timing cover.

What is the reason that the chrome aftermarket pans and covers leak? Is it simply because gaskets do not seal well to chrome? Or are the aftermarket chrome pans and covers just poorly made?

Thanks

Keizer

They are poorly made.

They are made of a thinner metal then stock pieces and bend easily which makes it harder to seal. Also over time the chrome will peel away from the metal and that is another potential oil leak path. Peeling chrome is a common problem on rims that causes an air leak from the bead of the tire. When it comes to engine tin, you get what you pay for, buy cheap $30 valve covers and they will leak and rust quickly. Buy $100 aluminum valve covers and they will last many more years.

Thanks for the replys!

Any suggestions on a good aftermarket oil pan and timing cover combo for a small block chevy?

Keizer

I have a moroso 7 qt kick out sump oil pan, couldnt be happier, very good quality. I still like to use stock timing covers (Ive never bought an aftermarket timing cover for a SBC), I just bead blast them and paint them the same color as the engine, they dont have to look fancy since you can barely seem them anyways.

I put a chrome pan and a chrome timing cover on my engine. It doesn't leak a drop. Before I put it together, I took a grinder and took the chrome off both mating surfaces and then used a one piece pan gasket.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by rogerh:
I put a chrome pan and a chrome timing cover on my engine. It doesn't leak a drop. Before I put it together, I took a grinder and took the chrome off both mating surfaces and then used a one piece pan gasket. </font>

Thats what a guy told me to do yesterday at the auto parts store, when using chrome pans and covers.

I was thinking a guy could mask off the chrome pan, and sand blast the sealing lip. Even if it didn't strip the chrome off, it would still leave that typical sand blasted finish, which I would think would seal really well.

Anyone ever do this?

Keizer

Are you planning on doing a lot of shows and such. Chrome pans typically hold more heat than thier painted counterparts. And get/show grime faster imo. I used a stock pan from Summit...new strainght no leaks and painted it to match the motor used a one piece seal. For the timing cover I used a 2 piece from Edelbrock becuse I plan on messing with my cam alot..changing the timing and perhaps a cam. The edelbrock cover was expensive...but worth the money it doesnt leak and allows me to mess with the internals without dropping the pan. Its a matter of what you like and what you want to do with the car. If you use chrome I have found that it seals better if the mating edges are stripped, but remember nothing looks worse than dirty chrome.

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just drive it!!!!

I may do a show here and there, but nothing serious.

Do you have a part number for that Summet oil pan?

Keizer

Dont have the parts number handy but you can look it up in the catalog or on the web site...I think I paid$35 for it but not too sure.

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just drive it!!!!

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by rogerh:
I put a chrome pan and a chrome timing cover on my engine. It doesn't leak a drop. Before I put it together, I took a grinder and took the chrome off both mating surfaces and then used a one piece pan gasket. </font>

Yup, grind, sand some ruff into the surface on the chrome and bolt on. All Chrome on my 72 Chevelle 350 and no leaks on 2 years.

i'm using chrome pan and timing cover with no leaks?? i used hella sealer could that be why i have no leaks?

What about my idea of sand blasting the gasket surfaces on the chrome pan and timing cover to ruff them up?

Keizer

I bought a chrome radiator support and chrome thermostat housing. I blasted both of them because I wanted to paint them, and it was MUCH cheaper to buy chrome parts than the painted steel.

The radiator support blasted fine(I used media blast at about 60 lbs). The thermostat housing chrome peeled off like peeling the shell off a hard boiled egg.

You may find that the chrome wants to peel off and not scuff up. I guess it depends on how well the chrome was applied.