I just bought a 2.8L to put back in the Camaro this weekend and would like to clean up the engine a little bit before I put it in the car. I plan on taking off the pan, checking the bearings, cleaning, and then putting the pan back on. It's an '85 engine, so that would make a 2 piece rear main seal, right?
Could I just use some RTV for a pan gasket? Also, do I need to replace the rear main seal at the same time?

thanks,
matt

 

I would replace the gasket. Why go to all the work to pull the pan and put an old baked gasket back on, then put it back with RTV and have a huge oil leak?

Get a SHARP razor blade scraper and make sure you get all the old gasket off both surfaces, then I ususally use some 120 sandpaper or emery cloth to smooth the surfaces. Only use a dab of RTV at the corners, do not gob it on. I hate tearing an engine apart that spun a bearing and finding a huge gob of orange RTV plugging the oil pump screen because someone thought more was better.

 

Karls gonna say something like "use gask-a-cinch" and I'm, gonna say "use that spray gasket remover"

then we'll both say get a new gasket. The perma-seal if available.

 

thanks guys. how about the RMS?

 

RMS is 1-piece

 

If you use RTV or a new gasket the problem and leaks usually come from unequal over tightening of the pan. Dron't crank on them like a head bolt. Let the gasket or RTV do its job.