[Tokyo Torquer]

Before I installed my new Stefs fabricated aluminum oil pan on my SBC, I called Stef's to verify the correct pan gasket to use. The guy at Stef's hesitated for a minute then asked which one I wanted to use and I told him the one piece Fel-Pro rubber gasket with the thick front seal. He responded that it sounded right. I also measured the gap at the front of the pan and it seemed like it called for the thick front seal. The Stef instructions does not tell you what gasket to use.

I noticed that the finish on the pan where the seal rides at the front and the back (timing cover/ rear main) seemed awefully rough for a high end pan. Mostly rough weld and not much of a smooth surface for the seal to sit on, as if they forgot to put it in the jig and finish it.

Well the pan went on very tight..I had to use extra long bolts in the corners to get her down on the seal. A few months later, I noticed that the pan seal along the front bottom of the timing cover is starting to tear. I also have an oil leak at the back which I thought might be something else, but I can't rule out the pan.

If you have used a SBC Stef's pan before, did you ever use a Fel-Pro one piece seal and did you use the thick or thin front seal? I am trying to figure out if the guy told me to use the wrong pan gasket or the pan is not machined right.

 

[Tokyo Torquer]

anyone?

 

[Chambers]

I've got one sitting in the garage, but have yet to bolt it to a block. I can take some pictures of the seal to see if you happend to get an unfinished pan if you'd like.

 

[Tokyo Torquer]

Chambers,

I would very much appreciate some pics of the pan where the seal rides at both ends to see if it is as rough as mine. Is yours ground smooth or do you still have rough weld left there?

many thanks,
mike

 

[Chambers]

Chambers,

I would very much appreciate some pics of the pan where the seal rides at both ends to see if it is as rough as mine. Is yours ground smooth or do you still have rough weld left there?

many thanks,
mike

I'll take some pictures when I get home tonight. It won't be till 10:00PM CST or so.

 

[Chambers]

Sorry I wasn't able to put the pictures up last night. But they are up now.

Hopefully the link below works.

http://www.chrischambers.net/~cc/pics/New/Pictures/Automotive/1971%20Chevelle%20Wagon/SBC%20400%20Parts/Stefs%20Oil%20Pan/

The seal area is smooth.

 

[Tokyo Torquer]

Many thanks Chris..I appreciate this.

I have the exact same pan. No way mine is as smooth as yours in the back seal area. I will bring the pan back to them.

Where the seal sits, is the edge perfectly flat across or is is slightly convex (rounded)? Mine is rounded with a rough surface.

Did they tell you to use a thick or thin front seal on the pan gasket?

mike

 

[Chambers]

The edge is slightly convex. It does have what feels like a flat ridge towards the inside of the pan. I'll see if I can find some clay and get a cross section.

I haven't even attempted to use this poor thing yet. My problem was that I picked up a 454 before I got the 400 finished.

Many thanks Chris..I appreciate this.

I have the exact same pan. No way mine is as smooth as yours in the back seal area. I will bring the pan back to them.

Where the seal sits, is the edge perfectly flat across or is is slightly convex (rounded)? Mine is rounded with a rough surface.

Did they tell you to use a thick or thin front seal on the pan gasket?

mike