Oil pan sealing

[PK]

It's me again...

I had a new gasket arrive from the US for my 1986 V6 with the rancid cork/rubber gasket arrangement.

The gasket didn't make it in one piece, it's ripped.  I am wondering if it is worth trying a gasket free install instead using only RTV?  Has anyone tried this?  What were results Vs rancid cork arrangement?

I might be being a bit harsh as the last cork one has done 15 odd years.

[PK]

I have found a gasket that looks remarkably similar to mine.... Located...in the next village!!! Haaa.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHEVROLET-OIL-PAN-GASKET-2-8L-173CID-OS30411C-1980-1984/222376638379?hash=item33c6ae37ab:g:I4QAAOSw9GhYeLb2

[Fierofool]

Yes, I believe the early 80's Camaros used the same oil pan and similar timing cover.  You may also check with that source to see if they have the balancer you need.  Timing mark may be incorrect, but at least you can inspect it before buying and not have to pay shipping and customs, either. 

The major difference in the Camaro and Fiero engines was the heads.  The Camaro heads didn't flow as well as the Pontiac enhanced heads.  I've known of at least one Fiero that had one Camaro head and one Fiero head on it. 

[PK]

That's great info thanks.  Sadly no harmonic balancers in the UK but I will definitely ask. I will have to remark the timing on the scrap one anyway if it can be repaired.

Have emailed seller to see if I can turn up with my torn gasket to compare/purchase ... If only all Fiero bits were that easy. :0)

[Fierofool]

Forgot to say that the El Camino and the Chevy Citation or European equivalents used the same 2.8 engine. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Yeah.  The Camaro 2.8 heads are not very good.

[PK]

One (of many) parts sorted.

The rancid cork gasket from the next village was the right one!!  Thanks for the very useful info FF.

[Raydar]

...
The major difference in the Camaro and Fiero engines was the heads.  The Camaro heads didn't flow as well as the Pontiac enhanced heads.  I've known of at least one Fiero that had one Camaro head and one Fiero head on it.

If you're talking about iron 2.8 heads, the only ones to avoid were the ones that came on carbureted engines. Those heads, with the exception of the high performance carbed engines (Citation X11, etc.) had smaller valves. We're talking base model Citations and other X-cars, as well as early S10s and Camarobirds.

The rule of thumb is that, as long as the vehicle had EFI, it had the "good" heads. 2.8, 3.1, or 3.4.

[GTRS Fiero]

When Pontiac developed the 2.8 for the Fiero, they re-worked a bunch of things.  While the heads were similar, the Fiero heads were supposed to have been better.  Unless you got the Camaro 2.8 HO, which was basically the Fiero motor.

[Raydar]

EFI on the S10 (in the form of TBI) also came along in 86. A year after the Fiero and Camaro HO.
All of the EFI motors got the "good" heads.