VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 1952 chevy oil pan gasket change

Hi; I am wondering if anyone has a vido or a printout of changing the oil pan gasket,as well as the timing chain cover gasket. My oil pan leaks pretty bad,and is full of 60 yr old sludge. Thank you Ed

buy a good brand of pan gaskets. I used to tie the gaskets in place on the pan with cotten sewing thread in 4 bolt holes, but it works better for me to make some guide screws out of some allthread or cut the heads off of some long bolts, screw them into the crankcase and use them to guide the pan into place without disturbing the gasketand put in several of the pan bolts, unscrew the guide bolts and replace them with pan bolts. I pulled one pan that still had the guide bolts in place with washers and nuts holding the pan tightly, that made the pan easy to remove, just pull the nuts and washers and use the guide bolts to drop the pan safely.
In your case I would feel much better pulling the engine if it is that crudded up, and do a decent workover and clean up.

Ed, MrMack has given you good, sound advice.

I encourage you to do a search in chat on installing the gasket and the end pieces, i.e., they meet up to and overlap. Chevgene has offered expert advice on getting it right to prevent leaks. There's a "trick' to doing it right.
Good luck,
Charlie

Hi Ed
A Motor or Chiltons shop maunual that covers your 52 Chevrolet may have some of the instructions you require to replace the timing cover gasket and the oil pan gasket. I would suggest getting an originl or reprint of the 1952 Chevrolet shop manual if you don't have one already.

The main thing to always remember when doing this job is to make sure you have all the old gasket removed and everything is nice and clean. You may have to unbolt the front motor mounts and jack up the engine for clearance to remove the oil pan. Just keep safety in mind when doing this. I myself suggest to install the oil pan gasket and end seals to the block using a spray trim adhesive sparingly or something like that and not to the pan on the 6 cylinder Chevys. The only time I suggest to install the oil pan gasket to the oil pan is if the oil pan rails are flat all the way around. Once the oil pan is removed and cleaned up, check the straightness of he oil pan rails especially between the bolt holes. Before installing the oil pan put a dab of RTV silicone on each corner were the end seals meet the oil pan side gaskets. Then use of at least 2 guide studs (bolts with the heads cut off) when installing the oil pan should always be done so the oil pan goes straight up and does not disturb the gaskets. There are a few cases when there is not enough room to do this. Then install a few bolts finger tight to hold the oil pan in place, remove the guide studs and install the rest of the bolts. Then tighten each bolt across from each other at the center of the oil pan. Work from the center to the back and center to the front alternately tighting the bolts. Do not overtighten the bolts as this will distort the oil pan rails, break the gasket and cause leaks.

The oil leak at your timing cover could be the timing cover gakset, front seal or the support plate which is mounted under the timing cover to the engine block. Hope this answers your question.

If you need excellent quality gasket, let us know. We are a dealer for Best Gasket. Check out our website www.marxparts.com for more info.
Regards Bob@marxparts

Take a look at this in the 46-48 forum. https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/152001/OIL_PAN_GASKET#Post152001

That thread was for a pre 1949. For the 1949-1954 it is not necessary to drop the tie rod and cross member - but the center steering arm must be unbolted from the front cross memeber.

I was thinking more about the pan gasket installation you recommended.