72MC

Yes, draw the corners in first. Then as the sides get close or touch the gasket, then proceed to tighten evenly all of the remaining fasteners, including the corners. You'll see what I am talking about when you put the pan in place, ready to fasten. It will appear that the gasket is incorrect or too big/fat. I think I even had to use longer bolts to get me started on the corners and then change them to the normal size after I got the pan started. It's all about the valley portion of the gasket material being over-sized and needing to be squeezed for a tight fit. - Dave

Larry, just keep in mind that the one piece oil pan gaskets have to have the pan drawn to the block with equal tension. This can be accomplished using the four corner bolt or studs to draw the pan to the block. The valley portion of the gaskets are thicker and will squeeze nicely. You should also have metal spacers in each hole of the gasket allowing you to torque the nuts/bolts much more than with the traditional 4 piece gasket sets. Of course, I have describe the method for the FelPro blue one piece gaskets. - Hope that helps with your endeavor. - Dave

Are you sure the oil is not coming from the valve cover above? If you have a newly painted engine and new oil, you may have a leak from the value cover and not see it. Run you fingers over that area and check for residue. - Dave

Nice score Jared. That is exactly the way my car looked from the factory(Interior and Exterior). Looks great. Enjoy - Dave

WOW, she looks beautiful. Enjoy putting on all the new parts to finish her up. - Dave

That is very cool. Enjoy enjoy enjoy. - Dave

Well,... it's good you pulled this thing apart. Sounds like it may have imploded in not that far into the future. - Dave

Yeah, I know Sam. Nothing wrong with making her more efficient and having some controlled power - Dave

Nice parts Sam. Not many things match the feeling of pure power and speed. It's addictive. Enjoy the upgrade. - Dave

It costs a good amount of money to build a quality SBC to handle power adders like turbos or prochargers and have the engine last. It's gonna be even bigger money to build a quality BBC that can handle the same abuse. The old time sayin has not changed over time,...."How fast do you wanna go?....How big is your wallet?". - Dave

As much as I am huge fan of the Felpro Blue rubber gaskets, especially the one piece oil pan gaskets, I still perfer the old fashion rubber/cork valve cover gaskets. However, the ones I would get were still made by Felpro but they were DOUBLE the thickness compared to the original style. I would use Edelbrock's Gasketcinch (sp) on the mating surface between the valve cover and the gasket. The contact between head and the gasket I would leave dry. I would normally go a couple years before replacing. I never had a leaking problem and could remove and reinstall valve covers with ease as the gasket would stay attached to the valve cover thanks to the Gasketcinch. Another trick I used since the gaskets were thicker would be to over torque to about 5 ft lbs(all based on feel) and I would use small lock washers. Disclosures: This is just my two cents worth - Dave

I'll add my two cents for what it's worth. When it comes to engine building and you're looking for any type of substantial power over stock, you will eventually regret not doing it "right" the first time. "Right" to me means all forged lower end(ie. crankshaft, rods, pistons, etc.). Billet roller cam with full roller rocker arms and roller lifters(ie Full Roller assembly). No roller tip rockers. You might as well buy stamped rockers. There was a study done on roller tips and it was discovered that they really don't do what they are supposed to do(ie. they act like stamped rockers thus are not worth the extra money). Also, use one piece lift rods, no welded tip lift rods. If you add good quality aluminum heads and a blow thru proof HP Holley carb and you are already ready for power adders when you're ready to do that (ie Procharger). I realize this isn't cheap but you might as well save and wait to do it right rather than get in a big hurry and settle for something that you will eventually regret. Now,...bear in mind my preface for my two cents,... you're looking for any type of substantial power over stock. Also keep in mind, just because you use the best pieces, that doesn't mean it won't break. Anything mechanically can break at anytime . Again, just my two cents, no hate mail . - Dave

I had one on my Monte. Worked great and found it easy to use. I changed out the momentary switch for a toggle and liked it better. Just my preference. I thought it was easy to install. I also would remove the fuse until I knew I would need it. That solved any issues that might arise from the brakes locking up out of the blue due to an electrical short. - Dave

Tony, that is looking Super Purdy!!! I'm sure spring wont come soon enough to go cruising. You'll be like a kid at Christmas but instead of presents, you'll be pining for good weather. - Dave

Holy smokes,...those two are almost deja vu pics . And there's Rob again, . Thanks Paul. Nice pics. - Dave

Thanks for the pic Paul. Nice launch Mike,....man I love that car. - Dave

Thanks for the pics Robert and everyone else(even the ones that are upside down). I have a knot on my head now from standing on my head but,... oh well. Kind-a weird not being there this year. - Dave

Great Job Rob. I would have been surprised to hear of anything less than a "JOB WELL DONE" by you and everyone that helped put on the crowned jewel of the FGMCC(Eastern Conference). You have done an awesome job for years coordinating the EM. Thanks for all your efforts. - Dave

FGMCC Proud,...... . Way to r-e-p-r-e-s-e-n-t guys and gals. Wish the weather would have been better but glad everyone had fun. - Dave

Late to the thread Tony, but I always did my aftermarket stuff to 100 ftlbs. I would turn my air ratchet down a bit and then finish with a 1/2 inch torgue wrench. - Dave

That's a pretty rear end. I've said it once and I'll say it again, new parts are so nice to deal with. Enjoy the build process. - Dave

Ok,...new mug shots and yes I'm smiling - Dave

Nice!!! Thanks for sharing Jason. Looks like the weather is starting to cooperate some finally. - Dave

The pattern looks pretty good. Without seeing it in person, I can't tell if I like the depth. There is a couple of teeth that make me question that but then on the other hand, the teeth in the best part(middle) of the photo show the depth to be perfect. It might just be an illusion of the pic. Do you have the meter and magnet base to check the backlash on coast and cruise/accelerate? Keep enjoying the build. - Dave

You'll never go wrong with anything from ATI. That's all I buy for any of my applications now or in the past. Very well built. Don't ever think you can overkill when it comes to balancing your engine. Vibration kills an engine. Of course the balancer is a fine tune instrument. The assembly must be balanced properly first. Just my 2 cents. - Dave