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Oil pan alignment

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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 06:10 PM
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Default Oil pan alignment

How critical is oil pan alignment? Can I just machine a couple bushings to centre the pan on the bolts? Instead of buying the tool?
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by parrisw
How critical is oil pan alignment? Can I just machine a couple bushings to centre the pan on the bolts? Instead of buying the tool?
Iv installed a few and never had a leak, though these were on truck pans..

Just make sure to use a straight edge to align it with the rear of the engine where the bell housing bolts up, the important part is making sure the front and rear covers are aligned and level with the oil pan matting surface along with the pan to the bell housing matting surface and use a touch of RTV on the cracks where the front and rear covers contact the oil pan matting surfaces..

I think the tolerance is something like 0.020 cant remember for sure, but this pdf will show you everything for truck pans on page 11 or 172 & 173.. the Ls1 seems to be the same see pdf page 4... hope this helps peace
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Last edited by the404man; Dec 22, 2015 at 06:34 PM. Reason: Page 11 or 172 & 173 adding Ls1 Engine pdf
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 07:53 PM
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I have the tools for the covers.
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Old Dec 22, 2015 | 06:46 AM
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The biggest thing is to make sure the back of the pan isn't sticking out past the back of the block. When you bolt up the bell housing and pan is sticking out past the block you can crack the pan or bell housing. Just make sure you are even in the back. Put a little rtv where the pan meets the timing cover and rear cover so you don't have a leak.
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Old Dec 22, 2015 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by gagliano7
The biggest thing is to make sure the back of the pan isn't sticking out past the back of the block. When you bolt up the bell housing and pan is sticking out past the block you can crack the pan or bell housing. Just make sure you are even in the back. Put a little rtv where the pan meets the timing cover and rear cover so you don't have a leak.
Thanks

Will
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Old Dec 22, 2015 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by parrisw
I have the tools for the covers.
Yes the AlignIt tools from SacCityCorvette ?

I used the AlignIt front and rear on this rebuild and they are nice, though the rear got stuck in there, but nothing a hammer wouldn't fix still nice pieces..
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Old Dec 22, 2015 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by the404man
Yes the AlignIt tools from SacCityCorvette ?

I used the AlignIt front and rear on this rebuild and they are nice, though the rear got stuck in there, but nothing a hammer wouldn't fix still nice pieces..
Yes those are the ones I got.
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