I am trying to help a high school kid with his 61 powerglide car (hey, he thinks it cool!). It has a REALLY badly leaking pan gasket. As in, it's a pretty constant drip if the car is at any angle. I tried to tighten the bolts a bit, but that might have made it worse! (the gasket is mush)

So, I have little experience with Powerglides, what is the suggested best practices?

Should I put gasket sealer on it (a very thin coating of course). Both sides? Cover side only (which is what I do for valve covers?

Most importantly, what torque? (I show 60-80 in/pounds) Use thread locker?

I am guessing, drive it a bit and re-check the torque (always a good idea with valve and oil pans)

And yes, I will see if I can get him do do most of the work (the car is a bit of mess in some ways from what previous owners have done)

Tim
Southern California - Where the stars are on the ground and dirt is in the sky

Cork/rubber composite gaskets work well. Flattening the pan at all bolt holes if they are dimpled (usually are) is essential. Clean dry installation with a very thin coat of Permatex #2 is what I use. I do not use a torque spec but I tighten each bolt while watching the gasket edge. as soon as the gasket edge starts to squish out just a hair the bolt tension is good.

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I have personally performed ground up restoration on over 20 Corvairs.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2021 01:13PM by Wagon Master.

Make sure the throttle lever o-ring is not leaking also as you have to remove the pan to change it. It would probably be a good idea just to do them both unless you know for sure that the o-ring is not leaking.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

OK, thanks for the advice and heads up.

Tim
Southern California - Where the stars are on the ground and dirt is in the sky