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Author Topic: 2.3 oil pan gasket  (Read 1756 times)

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Offline r4pinto

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2.3 oil pan gasket
« on: August 11, 2017, 08:50:55 AM »
Just looking for some info, think I know the answer...

1980 Ford Pinto Runabout. Engine is from a 1977 Ford Pinto sedan. 2.3 C4 automatic.

Replaced the engine last year and installed a new oil pan gasket while the engine was out of the car. Used the four piece gasket. It has a leak at the rear of the oil pan. I know the stock gasket is the cork with rubber ends, and trying to get some info on suggestions what others have done.


The pan has a small leak at the rear of the oil pan. I've diagnosed it, and the oil is external, not internal. When under the car you can see the oil signs at the rear of the oil pan, opposed to the transmission shield. Additionally the starter was clean of any oil when I pulled it for replacement. The sides of the oil pan are also clean and dry. Questions are as followed:

1) Has anyone used the oil pan gasket and NOT the rubber ends, just RTV to seal it? If not is there a good way to get the ends to seal?

2) Is there an alternative to the four piece gasket that would seal better?

The car isn't leaking too much at the moment but want to fix it before it gets worse. I'm not going to worry about it before the car show, but want to get it fixed afterwards. For now I will be checking the oil and topping off as necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions!
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2017, 11:02:49 AM »
Felpro makes a one piece blue plastic pan gasket that is GREAT. Pan bolts can not be over tighten. It's made for a late model 2300 but fits the early 2300 ok after you drill two small hole. Super easy fix. Got mine off of E-gay for about $15. Try it, you'll like it. I've got one on my Pinto and it does not leak!!!! They male a valve cover gasket too.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline r4pinto

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2017, 11:36:29 AM »
Well I'll be dipped and covered in bacon.... I'll have to give that puppy a try. I've done what I can for the four piece unit but seems to be... well, no good after a while. I'll go on there & see what I can find, then replace it after the car show.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline Wittsend

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2017, 11:38:41 AM »
I agree with Dick though I call the material more rubber than plastic. There are hard inserts fitted in the holes of the gasket that as stated prevent over tightening.  My '88 gasket was 20 years old when I reused it with some RTV. It is still working well at 29 years old.  Maybe the price has actually dropped. About 2008 replacing it cost around $25.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2017, 12:00:08 PM »
Had mine for five years now and not a single leak. Gasket was a perfect fit. I don't see how it could leak the way it's made. A real plus for any Pinto gear head.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline r4pinto

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2017, 12:10:22 PM »
I looked it up and can see why you guys prefer it. Looks like a good unit. I will have to buy one of those to seal it up good, since it's not going to cooperate with the normal gasket. Just not a good design.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2017, 01:15:07 PM »
Best part is that the gasket can be used over and over  It will out last the motor and then some.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline r4pinto

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2017, 07:34:44 AM »
Nice. I'll have to buy me a pair. One for the engine in the car, one for the car's original engine that will be rebuilt.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2017, 10:30:12 AM »
BTW do not use any kind of sealer / glue on the gasket as it's not necessary and could hurt the gasket.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline r4pinto

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2017, 10:39:10 AM »
Sounds simple enough. Thanks.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2017, 11:46:06 AM »
BTW #2. If your going to change the gasket while the motor is still in the car, you need to tie the gasket to the pan with some thin string through some of the bolt holes and you'll have to drop the steering rack to get enough room to remove and replace the pan. Not too hard of a job. I've done it several times in the past.
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Offline r4pinto

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2017, 11:56:53 AM »
Hmmm. Not gonna happen for a while then. Only way I will drop the rack at the moment is to replace it which will happen in the next year. No big deal. Just don't want to drop the rack until replacement happens. Old rack has bad boots and signs of leaks.   It will be a power rack as I don't like manual steering on this car. Been there done that.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

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Re: 2.3 oil pan gasket
« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2017, 12:10:37 PM »
Rack only needs to be drop'd a couple inches, not out of the car. You only need to unhook the rag joint and remove the bolts that hold the rack to the crossmember. That's all! Then you will be able to drop the pan far enough to remove it.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.