Oil pan gasket

I am going to be putting an oil pan back on a 225 V6 & the replacement gasket is rubberized cork, it looks like just plain cork to me. Does the gasket get installed dry or is there a sealant that should be used with it? I searched here as well as the internet and I get mixed information. Some say it goes in dry & the crankcase oil will cause it to expand & seal, others say to use a sealant...sealant recomendations range from RTV, Permatex #2 non-hardening, vasilene, spray tack, etc, Seems ther are as many opinions as there are sealant products. The engine is upsidedown on a stand therefore I do not need anything to help hold the gasket in place while installing. What do you guys recomend ??
Thanks, Oz

 

What I would do...

Straighten the pan flanges as needed.
Glue the gasket to the pan flange with gasket cement or weatherstrip cement.
Use a small amount of black silicone on the top surface of the gasket.
Torque to spec - and not overtighten.

Everybody has their own formula. Some tie the gasket to the pan with thread and then pull the thread out after the bolts are in. I prefer to glue.

I'd try "Right Stuff" sealant, except I have the black Permatex RTV in my drawer. The RTV should cure (RTV = silicone) so I'd let it sit overnight before I ran the engine. Right Stuff can be used right away.

 

What I did when I put the pan on years ago was put blue RTV on one side only, then smeared some oil on the other side of the gasket. The idea at the time was that I would be able to pull the pan in the future without ruining the gasket. I just pulled the pan Sunday and guess what? it worked. Pan came off and (cork) gasket is intact. For an oil pan I would not recommend the black RTV because it's more difficult to clean off when that eventually is needed. The blue stuff is easier to remove. I use the black on more critical or hard to get to items.

 

Thanks for the tips, I'll be putting this together this weekend. Oz

 

Interesting. My experience has been just the opposite.

To the OP, whatever you use put a dab of sealer in the corners and where the gasket meets any kind of seam, like where it goes over the rear main bearing cap. There is a seam there that will leak if no sealer is applied right there. Also, do NOT use too much if you put it on the gasket.

 

Will do Nick, thanks for the suggestion
Oz