So I'm planning to do the dreaded oil pan replacement on my 300, and have naturally been collecting parts. Got a new oil pump, fancy new Fel-Pro one-piece gasket, and a new Spectra Premium oil pan. When I unpacked the oil pan from the shipping box, I saw this:



It may be hard to see in the photo, but there is a mild rippling of the metal on the mating surface in two spots, one on each side of the pan. They're not deep ripples, and it's only for a couple of inches in each case - the majority of the mating surface is perfectly smooth.

My question is, is this typical? I definitely do NOT want to do this job twice, so my first thought is to send the pan back (I bought it from Amazon)...but if I'm likely to get another pan just like it, I won't bother. Thoughts?

 

For what it's worth, Spectra Premium isn't known for quality around these parts.

That being said, the same problem could be present on any oil pan manufactured for any engine.

Would I return the pan just because of a ripple that minute? No.

Would I lay down some Permatex and the new gasket and proceed to put on the new pan? Yes.

But for real, the gasket should more than make up for the little ripple there. If it bothers you, just take some 320 grit sand paper and hit it with sand paper. Make sure you clean it back off after you do. You could also probably dress it down with a really fine file, but you'd want to make sure no metal shavings are present afterwards, as those have a tendency to ruin the bearings in your motor.