A Little Advice Needed

[joelbert2k]

When I got my Spider, about a year and a half ago, I noticed the the oil pan was beat up pretty good. With all good intentions I ordered a pan gasket and oil pump gasket at that time. Well, I finally got around to removing the pan and pounding all the dents out. The pickup looks to be in good shape so I lucked out there. My problem is that now that I'm putting it back together I can't find the pump gasket.
My question is, can I use a thin silicon gasket, should I make my own, or should I just order a new one and finish up next weekend?
If I were to roll my own how thick should the material be?

Thanks Joel

[baltobernie]

I'd order a new one and not drive the car for a week or two, because ...
1.) There's a lot of force being developed at the pump exit, and your top end wants all the oil it can get. Oil pressure is not a place to be second-guessing your assembly procedure when it's 110℉ in a few months.
2.) Spider owners looking out at snow-covered roads won't hate you for two weeks!

[maytag]

If I were to roll my own .....
Thanks Joel

Did anyone else get to this point in the original post and wonder if maybe Joel WAS rolling his own... and that's why he can;t find the gasket?


Just teasin' Joel.
I agree with balto, on all counts.

[joelbert2k]

Thanks for the confirmation. I was leaning that way but wanted to get on the road and enjoy the wonderful weather here, upper 60s - low 70s clear blue skies. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I didn't think the silicone stuff would be of much good what with the pressure and all. Since I've got a few more things to take care of I guess it can sit another week. It's been up on jack stands since Thanksgiving anyway so what's another week.

Joel

[So Cal Mark]

good advice, you don't want the possibility of silicone getting into an oil galley or the pump. You could always make a gasket from some paper

[joelbert2k]

Just to be on the safe side I went ahead and ordered a new gasket. I figured that I might as well get the right one since there is no way to check on it once the pan is back on. If I'm going to have low oil pressure I want it to be for the proper reasons not something stupid like a poorly made pump gasket.

Joel

[So Cal Mark]

any decent gasket set should include the cap gasket and knob gaskets