ok I have a leaking oil pan and my mechanic says that most of the chrome pans are made over seas and they never seal right. does anyone else have a chrome pan? does it leak?
thanx for your help
Justin Mciver

I use to have one. And the only way I got it to seal was to take a sander to the gasket surface area and take the chrome off so the silicone would stick.


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Mike Hurta
(Aug98)
www.chevelles.com/feature/aug98.html (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/aug98.html)

I agree with AUG98.

I had my 12-bolt rebuilt and supplied the builder with a Daytona chrome cover. The first thing he did was grind away the chrome on the gasket sealing area. The cover didn't fit right either and the builder had to elongate the top bolthole. The aftermarket chrome stuff is made to look good in the package but usually does not fit perfectly. With the changes mentioned above the rear cover is doing its job of holding the lube inside.

The cheaper aftermarket companies may buy a used die and tooling for the stamping process and are lax on checking the tolerances. The tooling will wear and eventually cause a poor fit.

Removing the chrome from the gasket sealing area should take care of your leak.

I prefer to use aluminum pans and diff covers.

The main reason is, aluminum does not bend as easy as a thin piece of steel. Aluminum parts are also usually thicker. They provide a much better seal. Of course they cost a bunch extra. But after I bent one steel "chrome" tranny pan, I will never go back.

[This message has been edited by David Nafarrete (edited 07-31-99).]

Chrome pans, both trans and engine, retain heat. The best is black aluminum, with black painted steel next. I have a chrome trans pan and plan on putting a steel one on the next time I change the filter, painted black of course. No leaks, just concerned about heat.

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Pat Kelley
66 & 67 El Caminos

[This message has been edited by Pat Kelley (edited 07-31-99).]

Most of the aftermarket consumer chrome accessories are cheaper metals, stampings, etc. Differental covers have the same problems. Best bet is to get a stock OEM or NOS one and have it chromed.

First don't forget that there are two pan types out there.....One is a thick gasket pan and the other is a thin-gasket pan. The difference is in the drop of the main-cap ends. The thin-gasket pan measures 2-1/4" from the block mating surface to the bottom of the main-cap relief. The thick-gasket pan measures 2-1/2". If you get a thick-gasket pan and use a thin gasket you will have leaks immediately at the front and rear of the pan. I agree with Pat's comments...Chrome does retain heat, although the best cover would be a rough cast aluminum one that isn't painted. Paint blocks the heat transfer somewhat too. Also, a polished cover doesn't tranfer heat as well as a 'rough-cast' cover because by polishing the cover you are reducing the surface area. Just my 2-bits!

have your original chromed.