Hey guys, I recently did a cam swap on my 02 SS. Everything went smoothly until it came to bolting up the oil pan.

Long story short I cracked the flange of the pan around the rear most bolt on the oil filter side. I hadn't even reached the point of really snugging them down before torqueing them. I did push the pan against the block and slowly worked my way around while running them in. I got the pan torqued up to 18#/108in# just to fire it up and had the largest oil "leak" I've ever seen, lol.

I ordered a new pan/arp bolts and have read up on the removal/installation. The only place it was leaking was around the hairline crack above the filter.

No, I didn't use the alignment tool up front.

I hand tightened the front timing cover bolts and torqued the 2 bolts to 108in# before the front bolts after the pan was torqued. Also, I put some RTV on the 4 block/cover seams.

What can I do to be sure this doesn't happen again? Did I use too much RTV and crack it?

 

The gaskets used on the front covers are metal. When I installed my covers, I noticed that they extended down below the block surface just a tabs, so I trimmed them.

If the covers are not aligned properly, and there's a metal tab extending beyond the surface, I can see where it would cause an uneven surface.

 

Don't torque the bolt near the oil filter to 18... I did 16 which is what was recommended to me.

Also use a square to make sure the oil pan is flat against the back of the block so it's not cracked when you bolt the trans back on.

Also, I would fully torque down the front cover before touching the oil pan. You either have to do the pan then front/rear covers or front/rear covers and then pan.

Also work from the center out as you torque the pan.

 

Thanks for both of your replies.

This install was done in the car with the trans installed. The oil pan was installed before the front cover.

I'll remember to work inside out and 16# for the bolt next to the filter.

I just don't get why it cracked. I'd be okay with knowing I made a mistake so I don't repeat it.

 

I seem to remember from my build...isn't there a raised bump on the pan rail that needs to align with a hole in the metal pan gasket?

 

There had to be something in your way to make it crack with that little bit of torque or it already had a crack.

 

That would make me feel better. Although, it still has the rivets in it.

That's my thought. It did have a leak before the install and the previous owner had a clutch installed. I don't know..