Dan Wirth

I think I read in another thread about rope gaskets being replaced by a newer type gasket closer to today's technology, and better sealing. Is there such a thing for an oil pan on a 57 Olds? A better gasket substitute?

Bluevista

Nothing to do with your question but I saw the counter and your inquiry was the 100,000th post on this site.

You should demand a prize or something.

J-(Chicago)

If there is, It will take some searching and experimentation. Unfortunately, all of the auto parts stores use computers instead of books now, so "this will work" parts are all found through guesswork. You need to get friendly with your local parts fella and have him let you dig through all the seals for 2 hours.

I used a F0rd 460 seal in my Olds 455, and a F0rd 262 seal in my Olds 350.

wolfman98

What about the new rubberized cork gaskets , are they any good?

Dan Wirth

Are you referring to a type you might cut and make yourself, or are they pre-made to fit?

Dan Wirth

Yeah, okay...are there any Moderators out there with some pull??? let the prize be a classic Olds of choice!! (hmmm.. on second thought, that might start some kind of dues paying situation.

Dan Wirth

Glad it worked! Did you have to modify the gasket any to fit either Olds? Any other work needed to prep??

wolfman98

I was wondering about pre-made gaskets that are made from a rubberized cork material and just wondered if anyone had ever used them to see if they are any good. They were suggested to me by a mechanic who works on old cars and he prefers them but i had not seen them.

mugzilla

I've used them and they are "premium" gaskets ...

I will still use ultra black for the front and back of intake manifold.The roap seal should be replaced ...

Dan Wirth

I was being a bit more specific to an oil pan gasket for a 57 Olds rather than the rope type gasket that is now in place. I am wondering if there is a pre-fabricated gasket that will better seat the oil pan... If I wasn't so meticulous, I would simply say, "No big deal man, these old cars leak a little, just accept it!"

J-(Chicago)

Nope. They fit like a glove. Just scraped out all the old rope goo and dropped them right in.

mugzilla

I'm some one here knows how to seal up a '57. Have you tried Ultra Black goo ...

Olds64

Just use a stock cork oil pan gasket. It should work just fine. Replace the rear main seal if you are having the engine rebuilt. The rope seals work fine if installed correctly. I don't know if there are modern artificial seals that would work for your 57 in place of the rope seal.

citcapp

Before I changed engines in my 57. I put new pan gaskets and seal on the 371 and used the rope seal worked fine no leaks just take care on the install.

Dan Wirth

Thanks to all for your replies! I may have been mistaken thinking that there is a rope gasket for the oil pan. I think that it is the rear main seal that has one. And it leaks too (but not enough for major surgery). I have some homework to do, but with the info provided by all responses, it will surely help shore up some of the problems there.

Staying away from a GM dealership for repair is certainly good advise - no problem there. For any work that I have done, I like the master mechanic who started out with these older cars - a dying breed quite literally, and who will take special care in handling my car, with the respect it deserves - she's weathered 52 years and still going strong!

Dan

bigoldscruiser

According to Car Craft Mag some time back, rope seal substitution is as follows for Olds: 265-307-330-350(gas)-403 use Detriot #17175 or Fel-Pro BS-6141 for Ford 292 350(diesel)-400-425-455 use Detriot #17043 , Fel-Pro BS-40032, ROL RS-29130 or Victor JV-618 from Ford 460

J-(Chicago)

That's awesome that they published the info. Had I ever subscribed to Car Craft, I could have known years ago.

I'm more of a Motors Manual and Tradin' Times guy.

Dan Wirth

I'm not sure I follow the info you provided for rope seal substitution. Would you mind explainig it? My engine size is a 371 Cu.In (gas). Would the substitution part from what you gave be: Detroit #17175?
Thanks,
Dan

BOOWAH

Stay away from having your work done at the dealers. I took my 89 Caprice Classic to the local Chevy dealership because it was losing power and bucking when it went into overdrive. I told them I had the injectors cleaned, fuel filter replaced, and new plugs installed to no avail. They replaced the distributor and shaft, charged me $700.00, and called it fixed. The next time I took it out....same problem. I then took it to a small local transmission shop. He drove it for a few blocks, brought it back, and told me a solenoid in the trans was bad(a common problem with Chevy transmissions) and he'ed have it ready for me the next day. Charge...$160.00. Runs like a bear now.

J-(Chicago)

ROL, Detroit gasket, Victor, and fel-pro are all gasket companies.
He's just listing the part numbers for the different brands.

As far as a 371 motor goes, all of the gaskets he listed probably won't work.

Like I mentioned earlier, your best bet is to dig through the seal bin, or somehow get a hold of a catalogue that lists dimensions.

Trial and error , and you still may come up empty handed.

Dan Wirth

I guess you just have to think of the search as part of the fun!

Thanks, Dan