Oil pan gaskets and seals dilemna

[synchro66]

I am in the process of installing new cork side gaskets and rubber end seals in my LA 360. I have a couple questions. I notice that the cork gaskets protrude past the point where front and rear seals sit. Do they need to be trimmed to fit.? If not which end should overlap/underlap ...Front seal or rear main seal. Also the "nibs" or "nipples" on the front seal seem impossible to get thru the holes in the pan. Any secrets on how to do this eg. enlarge holes slightly or?....?

 

[70aarcuda]

lick the nipples and pull them thru with a pair of pliers...

 

[69FBCuda]

lick the nipples and pull them thru with a pair of pliers...

Good thought, though I prefer to spit on them, makes the Nibs much slipperier!

Leave the excess cork hanging it does a good job deflecting falling parts.

 

[AJ/FormS]

Check the size of the holes in the rails. I have come across pans with one odd hole size and a matching nib.Which makes the rail-rubber orientation specific

 

[synchro66]

Check the size of the holes in the rails. I have come across pans with one odd hole size and a matching nib.Which makes the rail-rubber orientation specific

Yes mine has the two different size holes and seal has different size nibs to match.. Might just clean up the holes slightly with a rat tail file and see if that helps as per the above replies

 

[synchro66]

Still not sure re the overhanging cork tab ...to front or back of pan??

 

[Jax340Dart]

Yeah 66, I just installed a zinc plated pan on my Dart and had to enlarge the holes a little bit with a rat tail. Not a big deal

 

[AJ/FormS]

silicon O-ring lube and a plier does the trick for me; they have those extended tips for that very reason.
The cork rail gaskets only fit one way.
I don't use the cork gaskets any more; but when I used to;
I would
sparingly
glue them onto the block with 3M contact cement.
The ends of the gasket need to go where they belong, and a daub of RTV where the cork meets the rubber. If the rail gaskets are too long, you diagonally slash the excess out of the middle somewhere and another daub of RTV.
The pan must be sealed
because
if your PCV system fails, or it becomes overloaded, the engine will become pressurized, and the pressure will try to get out thru the weakest place. Better it is if the pressure blows the dipstick out, or lifts the valve covers, than that it escapes out the pan. It's just way less inconvenient if she blows out the top somewhere.
IDK about any overhanging cork tab.
360 rail gaskets are different from 318s, at the rear main.

Wait! I do know about the cork tabs; but I forget where they interlock; check the rear main cap, but IDK

 

[Cal Tonsley]

Arrange pan rail gaskets like the image below and use blob of silicone over each corner where gaskets and rubber overlap.