'64 327/300HP engine oil pan seal

[Garry E.]

Does anyone remember the recent article (or Q&A) addressing the availability of an"improved" front oil pan seal for a SB 327 engine? I thought it appeared in "Corvette Enthusiast", but I'm not sure. Anyway, the article mentioned a better seal (available from NAPA?) than either of the two that are supplied with the standard pan gasket kit. I tried using the "smaller" front gasket this past time. It appears to "fit" better than the larger gasket, but it leaks even worse.....

Any thoughts on this?

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[Joe L.]

Re: '64 327/300HP engine oil pan seal

Does anyone remember the recent article (or Q&A) addressing the availability of an"improved" front oil pan seal for a SB 327 engine? I thought it appeared in "Corvette Enthusiast", but I'm not sure. Anyway, the article mentioned a better seal (available from NAPA?) than either of the two that are supplied with the standard pan gasket kit. I tried using the "smaller" front gasket this past time. It appears to "fit" better than the larger gasket, but it leaks even worse.....

Any thoughts on this?

Garry Eastwood
#38705

Garry-----


The only improved gasket I know of for 63-79 Corvette oil pans is the one piece style silicone rubber gasket. This style gasket was also used for mid-80's and later small blocks. The "4 piece" gasket sets are now, always were, and always will be very prone to leaks.

If your pan is an ORIGINAL 63-74 pan with 2-1/4" seal radius it will use the 0.22" thick front seal known as GM #3887151. If it's the later replacement pan with a 2-3/8" seal radius, the it will use the 0.41" thick front seal known as GM #12337940. The 12337940 is a slight improvement over the original 0.41" seal, GM #357159, but it won't work unless you have the replacement pan. There is no improved seal I know of for the earlier, original pans.

[Garry E.]

Re: '64 327/300HP engine oil pan seal

Joe:

Thanks for the response...... the pan on my SB is the original. Can the first seal you mentioned be purchased at a Chevy dealership?

Garry

[Joe L.]

Re: '64 327/300HP engine oil pan seal

Joe:

Thanks for the response...... the pan on my SB is the original. Can the first seal you mentioned be purchased at a Chevy dealership?

Garry

Garry-----


Unfortunately, the GM #3887151 is GM-discontinued. I can't find any new number for it, but you might give them the 3887151 number and see if they show a supercession. I doubt it, but it's worth a try.

Otherwise, the seal will be included in any 4 piece gasket set you purchase. These sets are not really all that expensive. The last GM set I can find was GM #14079400 but it's discontinued and I can't find a new number for that one, either.