Oil pump gasket?

[LameHoof65]

Am planning on buttoning up what I can this weekend. I noticed there is a gasket on my oil pump to the engine casing (block). It looks intact, of course it is saturated with oil, but it didn't come apart. I imagine it is difficult to get these new for a '68 block? If I can't find one, will it be okay to use the old one---and do I need to put any kind of sealer on it?

 

[Stubby]

If both surfaces are nice and flat I would bolt it up without a gasket. The worst you would get is a minor seep internaly. I would use some kind of gasket on the suction side!!!

 

[Anonymous]

do not use any sealer of any kind on this gasket. i did on my motor rebuild not knowing and a little piece of gasket sealer got into the pick-up tube and into the oil pump it went. oil pump locked , busted gear on cam and gear on distributor. not a purty picture.

 

[addo]

If really desired, sealer like Permatex #3 is OK. This is a tarry, brushable compound that never sets. Because the surfaces are flat, you only need the slightest film of a coating. A used gasket won't show any benefit from applied sealer.

Silicone rubber based products are generally where problems like Pepsipunk's originate.

Cheers, Adam.