1971 Oil Pan Bolts

[Paul C.]

I am putting a new Fel-Pro gasket on the oil pan. Can I use the bolts provided or should I use the bolts on the oil pan--they are different. What do the original bolts look like and are they pasinted or unpainted? The four corner bolts I have are unpainted with a raised edge, six sides, a lock washer, and the letters ELH in a double circle. The rest of the smaller bolts are unpainted, 6 sided with a lock collar, and EL in a double circle.
Thanks for your help. Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

I am putting a new Fel-Pro gasket on the oil pan. Can I use the bolts provided or should I use the bolts on the oil pan--they are different. What do the original bolts look like and are they pasinted or unpainted? The four corner bolts I have are unpainted with a raised edge, six sides, a lock washer, and the letters ELH in a double circle. The rest of the smaller bolts are unpainted, 6 sided with a lock collar, and EL in a double circle.
Thanks for your help. Paul

Paul-----


The bolts you described sound like they're original. However, these bolts were all "more-or-less" painted with the engine and oil pan. More than likely, though, your bolts have "shed" their paint as a result of multiple wrenchings over the years.

If you are using a Fel-Pro one piece, silicone gasket (which, incidentally, I highly recommend), you won't be able to use the original bolts---they're just not long enough. So, you'll have to use the bolts that come with the gasket package (or, some other bolts of the original head configuration but length of the new bolts). I believe the bolts that are supplied with the gasket are 3/8" across-the-flats, flanged head type bolts. The original corner bolts were 1/2" across-the-flats", non-flanged head bolts and the rest were 7/16" across-the-flats, non-flanged head.

[Paul C.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

Thanks Joe. I will use the bolts that came with the gasket.
Paul

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

Hi Joe,

I just did this on my 70 and the original bolts worked. It did make the job quite a bit more challenging Using longer bolts is definitely easier.

Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

Hi Joe,

I just did this on my 70 and the original bolts worked. It did make the job quite a bit more challenging Using longer bolts is definitely easier.

Bill

Bill-----


Are you sure the bolts are engaging the full thread depth in the block?

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

HI Joe,

The first couple were pretty tough. I am not really sure. I am guessing 3-4 threads once gasket was fully compressed and bolts torqued. I can back one out and see.

Now I am concerned?


Thanks,




Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

HI Joe,

The first couple were pretty tough. I am not really sure. I am guessing 3-4 threads once gasket was fully compressed and bolts torqued. I can back one out and see.

Now I am concerned?


Thanks,




Bill

Bill-----

The other problem is that the torque limiting inserts on the gaskets usually have to be "defeated" to install the shorter original bolts. The final torque applied to the bolts should not exceed that specified in the instructions that are supplied with the gasket. Did you observe the torque specifications?

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

Well Joe, I followed the torque specifications in the back of the repair manual.

I believe it was 65 inch pounds.

I do not recall any instructions in the box.



Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Oil Pan Bolts

Well Joe, I followed the torque specifications in the back of the repair manual.

I believe it was 65 inch pounds.

I do not recall any instructions in the box.



Bill

Bill-----


I don't recall at the moment what the Fel-Pro specs are. However, I don't think that 65 lb/inches will be too far off. So, that should be ok.