Oil pan gasket issues
 

Good afternoon all what are you using for an oil pan gasket I like the bop one piece gasket but not sure if I can use it with my smooth rear main cap “ no groove “. I have no problem with multi piece gaskets but I do not like the rubber seals. The one I bought from butler came with a cork rear seal but is damn thick I’m guessing for a grooved cap.

Do a search on here in the street section - lots of good info as it’s a common topic.

Have you tried dry fitting the thick cork gasket already?

Thank you and yes it is 1/4” thick and seems like the pan would really have to pull really hard down over it.

I agree about the rubber seal over the rear cap they are problematic and I don't use them. Some engines have a groove on the rear cap that is made for the cork seal and some are smooth like yours. SD Performance was offering an extra wide cork gasket that works fine on the smooth cap style like yours. Butler may offer a similar gasket. I would call Butler and ask them if they have a cork gasket that works on the rear cap without the groove. I have used the extra wide cork gasket on the rear cap without the groove with leak free results. The cork will compress quite a bit when you torque it down but I wouldn't use the narrow cork made for the grooved cap. Talk to Butler I am pretty sure they have a cork gasket the works with your cap.

If you want to avoid all the aggravation with the rear oil pan seal, just use RTV. I place a 1/4"-3/8" bead on the rear cap, clean and dry. Let it set up for about 15-20 minutes, then carefully place the pan on and torque the fasteners. Haven't had a leak in years in that area and I smoke test every engine . 2nd choice would be the cork gasket, (s) over the cap. But why add another material to the mix?. RTV is great for filling gaps and as a gasket replacement when applied to clean and dry surfaces. Useless if applied to an oily or air-tight joint. Once fully cured, I trim squeeze out with a single edge razor.

This might help...

https://www.pontiacstreetperformance...sp/Sealit.html

I have used the RTV gasket maker in that situation all the time.

Just let it set up for 12 hours before you trim the excess and put the motor into service.

I'm at timing cover/oil pan part of putting it back together. My kit has a couple rubber rear gaskets(main cover has a groove). They have the tips to pull through the oil pan but my factory pan don't have the slots to pull em through.
Y'all talking bout the cork there, too. I do have a piece of cork in my kit that is the exact width of the main cap groove, is thicker than the rubber gaskets and is a bit longer than is needed to go there. It's not as wide as the cork I've seen the pics. Kinda confused there.

If your rear main cap has a groove in it the cork seal you have will work you should trim it carefully to the correct length my rear main cap did not have a groove in it so I bought a piece of 3/16 rubber impregnated cork and made my own seal it’s probably around an inch or more wide. And worked perfectly not leaks at all got a couple hundred miles on it now.

The cork one doesn't look like it's gonna want to stay in place. It's pretty much straight. It's really tight in the groove, too. Almost like it needs a little of a bevel to get it started.

I’ve never personally installed one with the grooved cap but most of what I’ve read on here guys either use that style seal you have or the bop 1 piece pan gasket.

I like the idea of the cork one cause it's thicker and my pan don't have slots to pull the tabs of the rubber ones through. Imma try it, prolly.

Did you read the link in post #6? It explains how to curve the gasket to fit the cap & what gasket to use with the grooved caps. Using the cork gasket is the best option for pans with the slots for the rubber U seal or pans without like yours.