Oil Pan Blues

[Encswsm]

My 66 Charger came with a 360 with a 1973 date code. I have no idea what has been done to this engine prior to my ownership. I upgraded the front end to Disk brakes and a Borgeson power steering unit. While bolting my new Power Steering pump in the bolts that bolt into the water jacket pulled out because the holes were rusted. This required the removal of the timing cover to access and repair the bolt holes. now I cant get the Dang cover back on due to the thick rubber oil seal at the top edge of the oil pan. I did a little research and figured if I lowered the oil pan I could bolt the cover on. Now here's the problem I have removed all the bolts from the oil pan and it seems like the PO used like about 53.6 gallons of RTV and the pan is essentially gluing it in place. anyone have any ideas on how to lower the pan short of yanking the whole engine?

 

[WileE]

Cut out all the rtv, scrape and clean all mating surfaces. You can use piano wire or a sharp knife to remove all the goop.

 

[Don Frelier]

Try cutting off the exposed portion of the gasket.
Then take a new one and "repair the portion you cut off".
You can and should use RTV on the corners and sealing surface.
This should be possible without removing the oil pan.

 

[R413]

Try cutting off the exposed portion of the gasket.
Then take a new one and "repair the portion you cut off".
You can and should use RTV on the corners and sealing surface.
This should be possible without removing the oil pan.

He has a small block, sounds like you are describing a BB.

 

[Don Frelier]

He has a small block, sounds like you are describing a BB.

There is a U shaped saddle in the oil pan that the cover rests upon.
And a gasket on the vertical block face.
I've done a few...

 

[Encswsm]

There is a U shaped saddle in the oil pan that the cover rests upon.
And a gasket on the vertical block face.
I've done a few...

the problem i have is the oil pan rubber gasket is very stiff and it will not allow th e cover to go on loose enough to set the harmonic damper. .

 

[dvw]

Don't drop the pan. Buy a pan gasket. Replace the front rubber seal with the one out of the new gasket kit. Remove all small peices of the cork gasket at the front of the pan. Use good quality RTV ( I like Ultra Grey) to seal the corners where the cork was previously. No need for any cork. Use a couple of phillips screw drivers through the timing cover into the block holes to pry the cover down against the seal have a helper put a couple of the bolts in while you hold the cover down. It's a bit of a pain but it can be done.
Doug