Hi everybody I am not sure if I need to replace the gasket on my oil pan?? I have a 1999 4.0 that I completely rebuilt installed a new victor reinz oil pan one piece rubber gasket on it yesterday ( it is on the engine stand) put the silicone in the four corners and torque`d it down as the book directed.. Anyway this morning I spun the engine to its upright position as it would sit in the jeep and noticed the gasket appeared to be pushed out by the timing chain cover on the bottom spun engine back to pan side and removed it , the gasket was fine it just appeared to be protruding but was properly seated.. In other words I probably did not need to remove pan..,I just removed the pan and not the gasket , my buddy is telling me I can reuse the gasket that is what they are designed for?? The oil pan came right off and the gasket never moved it looks fine and the engine was never run?? Tried a search and it only comes up with a timing chain question?? I am pretty certain I can reinstall the pan re-torque the bolts and it should be ok . ,especially since the engine was never run.. If any body has ever come across this or any tips advice would really be help full .. The gasket was part of a master rebuild set from Victor Reinz Thanks in advance Bill

 

You should be fine. Like you said you never ran the engine and as long as the gasket looks fine and doesn't have any rips in it then you should be good to go

 

Oil pan isnt something id want to do twice. If it were me id put in a brand new one just because.

 

I did some more research on the internet and guys are saying they use them over and over as long as they are not ripped ..Keep your fingers crossed I am going to try it?? looks just like it came out of the box, it was not even on the engine for a day and does not appear to be crushed I was really carefull torqueing it down only 7 lbs on the 1/4 20 and 11 lbs on the 4 larger bolt`s and no rip`s.. ?? somebody say a hail Mary? lol.. Thanks Bill I will let you know in a few day`s waiting for some more parts..

 

Hi everybody, just to update I finally put everything back together preped the engine and then started it and broke her in.. Thankfully all looks good!! Motor runs sweet oil pressure good, temp is good idle is real smooth no noises ..and no leaks.. I have not driven it yet as I really want to dump the oil and install a trans. cooler that just arrived today . Great buy on amazon by the way a hayden oil cooler with hoses and mounting kit was $34.00 delivered to the house., not the flimsy one it can be bolted has a mounting tab on both ends or you could just pull it through the condensor., Anyway hopefully tom I will take it for a ride but worked out real good., Thanks again , Bill