Ok so I am probably looking a little too far into this but figured it would be a good conversation to have.

I am assembling my 302 for my boat. I am using the original oil pan and pick up so this all works and fits properly for my application. I want to choose the best oil pan gasket as to change this, well there is only room to drop it an inch or two. There is no room to actually drop the oil pan away from the engine without pulling the engine.

These things are all priced about the same... Between $12 - $20. I have found the following variations on material and style. There may be a few others I haven't found. I also know that simply using RTV works pretty well around everything but the ends although this would be an even bigger pain than the rest of the options should it ever need replaced due to the limited working space.

Cork
Composite
Nitrile
Rubber Coated Fiber
Cork/Rubber

One Piece
Four Piece
Crush Proof

I know if I where replacing this with the engine installed it would have to be a 4 piece. I know the typical cork gasket works but these seem to 'dampen' with oil after a while. So considering longevity, effectiveness and ease of removal (I am considering removal without dropping irretrievable chunks from the oil pan... In other words minimal tearing and/or scrapping required), which of these would be best? Thanks!

 

I would avoid the cork gaskets as they shrink and get brittle with age. The newer models have metal spacers in the bolt holes to prevent you from crushing them too much when installing. That's fine when they're new, but as they shrink, they leave gaps between the pan and block.

The last time I changed my gaskets, I used a Fel-Pro one-piece rubber, I think it was nitrile. This will be very difficult to install if you can only drop your pan 1". (That could also be a problem when you're trying to clean off the old gasket, and stuff drops into the pan.) Not knowing the layout of your boat, I don't know how to get more space. I actually dropped the cross member in my Mustang to give me full access:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1155523...7MustangEngine

 

So 1 piece is out as is cork.... I am leaning towards nitrile as I think it will clean up the easiest if it has to be replaced.

 

The 1 piece steel core rubber coated piece you can get directly from Ford is the best by far, everything else is worse with anything cork being the absolute worst.

 

Do you know if there is a 4 piece steel core available? I couldnt find one on summit.

I think I will go with that unless there is a 4 piece steel core. It will definity be cleaner to remove if neccessary although it may need to be cut to be removed. I am sure it will last a decade or more though with the limited marine use.

Summit has this sucker for $20. Seems like a good deal.

 

Trust me, you will never be able to replace the pan gasket with the engine in the boat. Not with any gasket. Not with 1" of room to drop the pan. Use a Felpro 1 piece for your engine's vintage (there are 2 FP 1 piece, one for front sumps, one for rear sumps) Make sure the tabs i fit into the corners of the end radius (radi-i?) The 4 pc are leak prone and the cork shrinks, but the pan bolts should be checked once a year on the 1 piece just to make sure they don't loosen up over time. You can buy these at the local parts house, no need to order it.

 

Ok. Its a rear sump.

 

I was wondering if the grooves in the pan would be an issue in selecting the right gasket.

 

That's the 80's and 90's pickup truck/van pan.

 

That helps narrow it down.... Thanks. Funny how this was made in 73 and adopted for later use.

 

Oh, yea, now I see the dipstick in the pan. Missed that before. That'll be the Econoline pan there. Or Bronco. Those were the only two applications with rear sumps then.