I got the new pick up tube in and it there is no interference that I can detect. The guy that posted the 2 pics of oil pans did state that the 215 pans are not interchangeable between other Buick / Olds motors. So, I got out my oil pan gasket and it has no bolt hole openings. No holes. Is that a thing? I can drill it out but why?

Scott, On ours the holes are punched and the plugs pushed out. I found out later that Felpro makes a nice cork gasket. Use black Permatex or The Right stuff on both sides of the paper gasket. I smear it on the pan to glue the gasket down and smear a coat on the gasket before you bolt the pan on.

Thanks Jim!

According to Rock Auto, the Olds & Buick 215 use the same gasket.  The 300 & 340 have an offset on one side.  Whereas, the 215 is fully straight on both sides.

I am curious as to what might be different with the Buick & Olds oil pans.  I have friends with both.  This is the first any of us have ever heard they were different.

I dont know if there is a difference. I'm by far the least knowledgable guy here. My first pickup tube said on the box or invoice (4.5") pan. Mine is 5.25". Is your Buick pan 5.25" deep?
And, Who would want an oil pan gasket with no holes? New one ordered.

Wow, Looks like a nice gasket if it had holes! Ours was gray paper.

Paper?  I would use the FEL-PRO OS12992C.  Same for Olds & Buick 215.

Yeah, Me too. I've heard rumors of a rubber gasket also for the 3.5 Rover if you could find it.

I ordered a FelPro gasket.
 So then I looked at my valve cover gaskets from the same order and there were no bolt holes. I picked one up and bent it in the areas where a bolt hole should be,,,, the holes were there, I had to flex it to reveal there was a circle you had to remove the plug. I've done valve covers and oil pan gaskets many times, never saw these cork gaskets this way. So, I looked at the oil pan gasket, yep, its holes are there, they're just invisible unless you know how to find them. Another rookie mistake. Atleast i didnt order new valve cover gaskets.
 

Scott, The paper/fiber gaskets we had all were not punched out all the way. On the valve cover gaskets I glue them on the valve cover with Black RTV, then wipe the head side with grease so they can be removable. Also, to prevent the cork gasket from sliding out, just bolt down for light contact. Torque to specs next day after the RTV cures.

Many, many years ago(35+), I switched to ARP valve cover studs on the 350 in my '68 Camaro.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-200-7620

Is that because it's easier taking the valve covers off?

Quote from: Gswest236 on April 27, 2026, 09:36:02 PMIs that because it's easier taking the valve covers off?

The studs hold the gasket in place & the nuts drop right on.  Easier than putting bolts thru & getting them started.

I have the nice set of Offenhauser valve covers, which I replaced because they aren't baffled (oil seepage at the filler and vent side opening)  I got some original covers and painted them. Now they are in good shape, but thinking the Offenhausers would be a better choice.

Scott, on the Offy valve covers use this breather on one side and breather with PCV on other side:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/380787488409?_skw=twist+on+breather&itmmeta=01KQBYFQEA0P6RBFSYK99HHD19&hash=item58a8b3f699:g:bZUAAOSwGUpb2knU&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xC3oqB7ICVVFpm%2B%2F1LpASRVXLWls1DX2Bnc7oQ7wi1L4LqGuKvnkSXhiw%2FuJs5u2YDmgiGfiXpbY7j84dOjpdxubaGHd1sdhzhX2kvQSrZU3D6oc%2BnsuyR%2FbBV6Ins0i2CNN2PUqdmQ%2BUc5YZAvDOSjPyPX9DaddPsKjLNcy4eH329WKb20WCWrt6UsV7RuaxdCk5oe4m5lq%2FYnJ%2FhJ0U1NTopZWwWMKPBgIPm3S27tnt86mZP1t8SB7Nmj5njSpcc%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7j3vv66Zw


https://www.ebay.com/itm/201466997166?_skw=twist+on+breather&itmmeta=01KQBYFQEABHDT77DHAEW614GX&hash=item2ee85e69ae:g:eVkAAOSwLzdWRyeV&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xDteVCnes5295OD%2FsO6MkaGSggDnXRK2MPKqElDTyVBd2xrVo9Wk8LxwjgOs%2BCV6FvoRfGucGt1Asf5ojGgE7r5QXgF6BwRHFEVGK4i5E4uNnx%2BfMQd%2ByVd6ENqGMTgcIc%2B22DwndiqaE%2BFDZIVCVACfJuxFBDvlhGDZ3Ec8JJ1eJ8VjUCgCx1jbZvu6YUCSHwK1mNbCC2siJSMEW%2FDTwHSCisJNS2Skg2E9A5IZE4vDmo4Mu4gb6dkYzWBPi6tnjAMUXA4GXx9ttOYXsiUe3t6XbM5m6TdylyaxXrm2veu7Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMuPe-_rpn


https://www.ebay.com/itm/317676958116?_skw=inline+pcv+valve&epid=216036484&itmmeta=01KQBZEFKWT5WBDDYTP94ZNTDY&hash=item49f705b1a4:g:iacAAOSwMCFitKPS&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xBp35Ig1s4xFhP6EGrw1o2hbGffwAetw9EVhg602TJ6tQFiOvQeYhou8D0jA%2FPClX0JcMMmU7VaTBvv14sEJo5Wpae574xrvivVUsrKzUczBMPu5avmBxUB9t%2FPZ9f5lPEapdMwcFtaUK8Bi9T0cYxH0tF77iB5IggFDH3BNW%2BhpyUx598xdNEzfC9uuAF6e4Wh4t%2FT3Zd4DTDkv0cm8NKthDeGAwpQGxH8j6V0b9l34i4yeU%2BIIKhiFfJlpoOaP7I%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5D6uf-6Zw