I recently got the oil-pan gasket for my slant, then i noticed that the alignment tabs had a step-up on them and because of that it won't fit(in the alignment holes). Are they supposed to do that? do you have to drill the hole out? is there a certain brand that sells a good one?

The steps on the rubber end piece "nubs" are there to hold the seals in place, once they are installed.

You start the "tab" into the hole, then grab the smaller end of the nub with a pair of needle-nose pliers, pull it lightly and the streaching action of the rubber will allow the larger section to pop into the hole.
Sometimes you need to rock the pliers and pull the nub at the same time, in order to get the piece to fully seat.
DD

http://www.slantsix.org/articles/gasket ... n-seal.htm

AAHH!!! that was the trick thanks soo much!! something so simple, totally didn't think of that. Much appreciated.

I've had the same issue...this is my first /6 oil pan gasket/rear main change (in car)...All the nubs fit snug and nicely EXCEPT the last nub on the low side of the pan. Was my gasket defective? are there suppose to be fat nubs on either end of the rubber rear gasket?

Believe it or don't, there used to be a special tool just for this job.

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