Oil pan question

I'm putting a new oil pan (read better used one) on my 283. What gasket do you reccomend the 1 pc. or 4 pc.?

 

I think you need to check a little closer.I don't think there is a one piece gasket to fit a 283.

 

Actually I think there is a one piece available, during my 265 refresher journey I came across a Fel-Pro number for a one piece for my '55 block. I never got it 'cause I wouldn't recieve it in time. I think my connection at Summit found it for me. I'll see what I can find.

In case you can't tell I LOVE the one piece gaskets. I've never heard of anyone having any problems with them. Since they're reusable you never have to worry about those pesky cork gaskets during cam swaps etc. The Fel-Pro's even come with these little plastic prongs that hold the pan and gasket in place while you install with the motor in the car.

 

Cool let me know what you find out. From what I gathered the early Chevys take the thin front seal and the late models take the thick?

 

Anyone have any information in regard to the difference in the oil pan and gasket in regard to early SBC (283) and late SBC (350).

 

Btt

 

nope, but im watchin this also....

 

There were two different measurements on the front pan radius and right and left dipsticks.

 

what about the earlier 350? i think that may be what hes refering to

 

I just want to ensure that I get the right gasket. (I would prefer the one pc. if avaliable) The motor is a 58' 283

 

Fel Pro makes a 1 piece gasket for the pre 86 engines (drivers side dipstick) with a thick FEL-OS34510T or thin FEL-OS34509T front seal. I got these numbers from Summit Racing. You'll need to measure the radius on the front of your pan first to determine which one to get.

 

cool, good info

 

I think the SBC went from a thin front pan seal to a thick one in 1976.
The early thin seal is about 1/4" thick and the later one is about 3/8" thick.

 

I need to correct myself and say that passenger side dipsticks were 1980-85 and 86 and later engines had one piece rear main seals which may have a different oil pan also.

 

Thanks for the info/ part #'s guys. As previously stated my engine decodes as a 1958 283 SBC. Does have the LH dipstick. I'll pull the pan and measure the radius.

 

as model a vette stated, make sure the front of the gasket is the proper thickness. check and measure the lip on the timing cover. When i assembled my 383, i was given 2 front pan gaskets. i overlooked the fact that there was 2 and installed the one i found first which was the thin one. it worked fine for a few months, then my engine started spewing large amounts of oil from that seal. i dropped the pan, put in the thicker gasket and hasnt leaked in 4 years.