('83 12A) My oil pan gasket is leaking a little, and since I have to pull the idler arm off to put in new bushings, I thought I'd replace the oil pan gasket. Is there anything else I ought to do while I have the oil pan off?

Thanks - David

 

I didnt have to remove the idler arm. I just unbolted the motor mount and used an engine lift to clear the idler arm. But if you gonna take the idler arm off replace it.

 

make sure u use some black/oil grade sealent when puttin the oil pan gasket on to garantee no leaks

 

why???
Unbolting it from the frame will give you more than enough room to remove/install the oil pan.

 

I'm not taking the idler arm off just to replace the oil pan gasket-- I need to replace the bushings in the idler arm, so while it is off for this, I'm going to replace the leaky oil pan gasket.

- David

 

Mod the ROPR to increase the oil pressure while the oil pan is out.

 

I done it that way bc I had a new idler arm on it and just couldnt get the bolts to break lose. I thought it was easyer that way. But o well.

 

Many of the independent builders don't use gaskets. Judge Ito posted pics at nopistons on how he does his. He take a sharp pointed center punch and divots both the engine and pan flanges, lots and lots of little holes. Once the mating surfaces are super clean, use an oil resistant silicone. Do not over tighten and squeeze all of the sealer out, let sit 24 hours before adding oil.

Bolt holes need retapped to clean the threads and use Lock-tite Blue thread sealer.

The biggest reasons for leaky pan gaskets are the bolts work loose and people then overtighten them, splitting the cork gasket.

 

Good info as always T....

 

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So your saying that you dont have to use a gasket? just some good silicone? Thats good to know. What color? Black, grey, or red?

I dont think I've heard of that? I'm guessing if I search i'll find it, yeah? lol

 

With the oil pan, I never use a gasket. Instead, I use a coarse sand paper, say 120 grit, so that silicon will stay in place. Mckenna is the best to use but a PITA to remove. Copper silicone is a good alternative.

mazda came with 2 styles: pre-80 with a removable cap and the fixed ROPR for 81+. Instead of spending $$$ from RB/Mazdatrix, you can modify the stock ROPR to achieve 80+ psi. Slightly tap the tip like the pix below. The idea behind this is to make the spring stiff. At idle, it will be around 30psi and 80 =/- at 3K RPM.




IF you flatten it like this, you will get over 110.



to remove it, I used a modified or grinded a 1 1/16 wrench.