After market oil pan recommendation

[Flintlock]

I got a slight leak at the oil pan gasket and will be replacing it soon. I thought I should go ahead and get a new oil pan as well seeing how mine has a few dings and dents on the bottom received over the years. I have found there are many manufacturers and the prices are all over. I find it strange that no one seems to mention the gauge of the steel in their pan which makes it hard to compare. I want a heavy duty one that will hold up. For those who have experience with this situation what brand would you recommend and any other advice for this job?

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

I have used Milodon and Moroso oil pans,have had good service from both but the Moroso seems to be a thicker material.They both are listed as holding 8 quarts!I think for SBFs Ford still makes a stock replacement pan. ROY.

[Jedeka]

I needed a front sump pan to convert a 5.0 Mustang engine to fit in the 67 Comet. Bought a Summit zinc-finished oil pan, scuffed it up and painted it gloss black. Pan looked and fit nice.

[b.guggenmos]

Like Roy said. Milodon or Moroso. Stay away from the chinese Ebay stuff.

[Flintlock]

Thanks for all the great advice. What brand and type of gasket would you recommend?

[comethead]

I'm using the Fel-Pro one piece Perma-Dry oil pan gasket on my 289. No leaks!
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/fel-os13260t

Joe

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

I agree with Joe,I have had GREAT service out of that gasket!! They are pricey but well worth it!!! ROY.

[383MERC]

Same here. I use the Milodon pand with the good one piece gasket. Wish i would have started using the one piece gaskets sooner. A lot easier to use. Mark

[Flintlock]

I got the Milodon pan and one piece gasket on order (as well as a new oil pickup unit). I was looking in my 1965 service book and for the Comet it makes no mention of needing to remove the steering linkage in order to replace the oil pan but it does say that is required for the Mustang and a couple of other models. Is this true? I had read somewhere that the linkage needs to be removed for 65 Comets.

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

I would at least drop it! I take the idler arm to frame bolts out and just pivot the link at the pitman arm,makes life much easier,if there is such a thing!!!!! ROY.

[Flintlock]

Just thought I would update. Pulled the old oil pan off and found a piston skirt and a few other small pieces of metal in there as well for good measure. Bummer as this 1973 302 motor was really pulling strong. Because I know nothing about the history of this engine I will replace it. I checked into getting it rebuilt locally but the price was more than a new crate engine with all the goodies already on there. This will take a while but I'll let you guys know how it goes when I get started and will probably have several new questions. I already got the motor pulled.

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

Flintlock;sorry to read the news!! Maybe there is a silver lining as now you can design an engine you like!! ROY.

[Comechero65]

I have never used the one-piece gasket myself but it does make sense if I ever have to pull the pan completely off. That's what I would use.
Ron