Does anyone offer a 1-piece oil pan gasket for the LA 273-340 small block? Otherwise, what is the best conventional (3-piece) gasket being offered? I've heard positive things about Superformance gaskets but I have nothing specific to the oil pan.

Thanks,

- EM

I found answers to my question. Mopar Performance and Milodon both make them....

- EM

I looked.......all I find is for the 5.9 / 360.
Could you post a link ?

The main reason why there are 4-piece gaskets for the early LA engines is because of manufacturing tolerances. IF a manufacturer were to attempt to create a 1-piece gasket where there is a wide amount dimensional tolerance, such as with the early LA engines, then some may work... some may not. Best bet... stay with the OE design... 4-piece for the early LA engines.

I'm a former gasket engineer.. I know the industry....

I went through this a few years ago. No one makes a one piece gasket for the 340.The three piece works fine if properly installed. Superformance is definitely good stuff.

I am a little embarrassed to say that I tried to make my own one piece 340 oil pan gasket by gluing (using right stuff or silicone or something) the 340 front and rear pan pieces to a modern 5.9 rubber reinforced pan gasket that I cut apart but it didn't work. Not precise enough and too much glue. I got the idea from a magazine article. I tried to copy it but whoever it was had way more skill than me if they were able to successfully bond it all together and get it to work without leaking.

I'll go back and look for the reference I found that showed P/Ns for both.

- EM

yes, what I found are for the 5.2 and 5.9 Magnum engines only.....

Another reason that the industry doesn't offer a 1-piece LA oil pan gasket is that the tooling costs are very high and the market demand is progressively declining for these engines.

But the overall bottom line is the manufacturing tolerances vary so much that a 1-piece wouldn't fit the majority of oil pans for the LA engines.... regardless 273-318-340, or the 360 which has a different rear seal.