Any recommendations for the best oil pan gasket?
 

I just attempted to install my old steel oil pan onto the engine I'm assembling. I had installed the bolts just snug to let the silicone dry. A couple of hours later I came back to tighten the bolts to final torque and they squeezed the gasket out and in some places split it. The oil pan as I said is old and the bolt holes are bulged. I'm going to try to address that some with a hammer, etc to see how flat I can make it. The gasket I used was the fiber type from Butler. Have any of you had better luck with any particular brand or type of gasket on old, stock steel pans?

Many here use the BOP one-piece oil pan gasket. https://butlerperformance.com/i-2445...86vq5_sFEV97Lt

I will say, the method of installation is just as if not more important than the gasket used. A regular Felpro set will work great. One area that requires extra work is the rear main cap. Using a thick strip of cork, glued to the cap will work well.

Make sure the pan’s bolt holes are flat - overtightening a squishy gasket leads to distortion of the pan rail and then it won’t seal right.

Do a search here on that topic as it’s been beaten to death.

BOP one piece for me

None, Grey RTV and a cork around the cap. No leaks.

I installed the BOP 1-piece gasket on my engine over 3 years ago and it has not let out a single droplet of oil. The underside of my engine has stayed spotless and leak-free, and I am able to examine very closely and regularly since I have a hoist. Definitely a fan of that BOP 1-piece oil pan gasket.