Oil Pan Gasket help!

[jamesroney]

Weren’t a lot of explorers the last time I checked, but it has been a while. And it was only on the steel pan, correct?
Good thing to grab for sure.

Hi Paul,
Those reinforcement rails only work on sheet metal pans with a flat flange. You can certainly put them on a ribbed pan, but they don't actually do anything.
The 86-93 Mustang 5.0 had the double sump FOX pan with the reinforcing rails and the flat flange pan. The single piece gasket incorporates positive stop collars in each pan bolt. So you can't over-squeeze the gasket.

As correctly noted above, if your existing pan has deformed rails due to overtightened cork gaskets, then the single piece gasket will also leak. If you straighten the pan flange, then it turns out that either gasket will work. The reinforcing rails remind me of the small block chevy valve cover plates. If you leave them off and tighten the valve cover, then they don't leak. If you leave them off, tighten and distort the cover, and then try to reinstall them, they leak every time.

So no, unless you have a "newer" pan, the 5.0 pan rails are basically useless.

 

[DirtDonk]

Got it. Thanks.

 

[1970 Palmer]

It interesting to note that the Ford racing rails are close to $100.00, and right below them are the Stove Bolt pain rails for only $12.00.

 

[Comemonday71]

Hi Gang!
I have a stubborn oil leak coming from the front (saddle area) of my pan. I have changed the FEL-PRO one-piece gasket out twice with the same result - leaking out the front. I plan on changing out the gasket again and opted for a Ford Racing gasket this time around. I have some of those oil pan rails laying around. My question is, would installing the rails help with the leaking oil from the front? I don't think so but thought I would ask the "experts." Thanks! P.S. The pan I have is one of those after market Milodon ones.

 

[jamesroney]

Hi Gang!
I have a stubborn oil leak coming from the front (saddle area) of my pan. I have changed the FEL-PRO one-piece gasket out twice with the same result - leaking out the front. I plan on changing out the gasket again and opted for a Ford Racing gasket this time around. I have some of those oil pan rails laying around. My question is, would installing the rails help with the leaking oil from the front? I don't think so but thought I would ask the "experts." Thanks! P.S. The pan I have is one of those after market Milodon ones.

What pan are you using?

 

[Steve83]

$100 for those rails is insane. I could probably get them laser-cut locally for half that, or less.

The single piece gasket incorporates positive stop collars in each pan bolt. So you can't over-squeeze the gasket.

You might think that, but I've found more than one that were. This is one of my F250s:

(click this text)

 

[widowmaker77]

Ok so I’m a little confused here. Will the one piece gasket fit on a 73 oil pan? I have a 94 rotating assembly with explorer front dress and efi. Was planning on using original oil pan. Bought a fel-pro engine gasket set for later explorer motor and the blue one piece is what came with the kit. Do I need to order a different gasket?

 

[Eoth]

I used a one-piece gasket on a 2000 explorer 5.0 with a 1969 302 pan.

 

[widowmaker77]

I used a one-piece gasket on a 2000 explorer 5.0 with a 1969 302 pan.

Thanks! I did a “dry” run with it just to see if there were any issues. Seems to fit good except in one spot. The 5/16 bolt that screws in aluminum timing cover on one side is tight going in. I’m afraid to try to tighten it any further. Started running out of time but it looks like there may be a gap that’s not sealed good. Not quit sure what’s going on.