one piece vs. four piece pan gaskets

Guys, which would you use if you have the choice?  My engine kit has the four piece cork and rubber set but I had already purchased a blue one piece (both are fel-pro).  I know the one piece is desirable for an in-car install (so much easier) but since my engine is on a stand, I don't think that's a factor.  I want the most leak resistant option.  Just looking for your opinions.  One other factor to consider: the one piece has already been installed, but not run.  There are some remnants of Ultra black permatex in the corners, but I've peeled all I can off.  Thanks!   daveo762011-08-05 19:08:57

Even though most look good in a two piece....If you don't want leaks use the one piece and ultra grey if you need any..

Rich

Perfect timing, the motor is about to come out of the Red vette because the pan needs to be replaced. ebo

the fel-pro one piece is the way to go, 55-74 uses the thin timing cover to front of pan gasket, 75 and up uses the thick one,  its the pan that dictates which one to use not the timing cover, for those who don't know what pan they have, turn the pan up side down and place it on a flat surface or right side up and use a straight edge and measure the middle of the fron t opening, 21/4" uses the thin one , 23/8" uses the thick.

Last year the 75 started leaking oil and I though that it was a rear main seal. After I found that the motor mounts were bad I started to look real had for the leak. The oil pan was rusty so I took it off and wire brush it and found that it had a rust hole by the dipstick. Replaced the pan and put a 1 piece pan gasket on and now no leaks. the 1 piece makes the job real easy. Unless some one is looking at the pan no one will know it is a 1 piece gasket.

 Felpro 1 piece unit is what I would go with. A little more on COST, but no seams that could eventually leak.I went this route his past winter, when I did some maintenance on mine.

Thanks guys.  I heard all votes for the one piece and none for the four piece - pretty much what I thought, too.  But the reason I asked is after looking at similar discussions on some other forums there was considerable debate with many saying they had problems with the one piece units.  But this is the site I trust, so that is the way I will go!  

one of the problems is you still have to make sure your gasket rails are straight, where the bolts go through the rail are sometimes pushed up from over tightening and kinda looks like a raised cone and and when bottomed out on the internal stops in the gasket doesn't allow the sides of the rails to be tight against the bottom of the block and rails of the pan, might have to do some dolley work, put a straight edge on the rails run it front to back and left to right and make sure theres no dips or high spots.  anips2011-08-06 09:32:20

Yep, they were coned up a little at the bolt holes.  A little bit of light hammering with a ball peen seemed to take care of it.  After that the rails passed a straight edge test pretty well.  We'll see - installed the pan (with the one-piece gasket) on the block this afternoon.  Next step: install cylinder heads!  

Sorry for the blank post.  daveo762011-08-06 22:43:15