I have all the parts & tools I need for my cam swap, including new oil pump and timing chain and gaskets, EXCEPT for a new oil pan gasket.

It was suggested to me to go ahead and drop the oil pan completely instead of just lowering a few inches, to change out the oil pump. When I drop the pan, do I need to replace the oil pan gasket, Fel-Pro part number OS30693R? Haynes manual says to drill the gasket rivets and replace with a new gasket, no rivets needed.

Just want to make sure I get things inline before I dive in. Because this is my DD, I can't afford to be down for more than a weekend!
Thanks guys..

 

You can get away with reusing the old gasket, but you need to be careful you do not bend it or kink it. Alot of the seals on LS engines are reusable, as they are steel with a O-ring style gasket.

 

you can reuse it just run a bead of rtv on it to that will help

 

There is no need for RTV, hand tighten the oil pan and front timing cover, tighten the two oil pan bolts that thread into the timing cover first, then tighten the rest.

 

My truck has 149k on it and the pan has never been dropped, if it matters. I'll plan on reusing the original gasket, unless I hear convincing objections.

 

Moving this one to the correct section. As you were.....

 

I've got a new gasket... 35 dollars shipped

 

^+1 and put rtv on the corners

 

If you go to the trouble of dropping the pan I wouldn't put it back on without a new gasket. I even had to disconnect the motor mounts to drop my pan and I have a 6" suspension and 3" body lift. Freaking pain dude.

 

You'll be fine re-using the gasket. I'm not a fan of RTVing o-ringed gaskets, unless there's a gap between surfaces. If it needs to have a better seal then you're better off running a new gasket IMO... these aren't like the Gen I SBCs.