oil pan and valve cover gaskets?

[1Camaro2SS]

I am planning to start my L99/LS3 conversion and have some questions about gaskets. Do you guys change out your valve cover gaskets when removing them to replace your valve springs? What about the oil pan gasket? I see people dropping the pan an inch or so to replace the oil pump and I am wondering if it would be better to remove the entire oil pan all together which will make life a lot easier to attach the pump to the pick up tube then install a brand new gasket on the pan.

What are the pros doing in the reputable shops? Personally I like to replace every gasket related to the part I am disassembling. My car currently has 10K miles.

Thanks

[1Camaro2SS]

[BLACK10]

You can reuse your VC gaskets and no, you do not have to replace the oil pan gasket.

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by BLACK10

You can reuse your VC gaskets and no, you do not have to replace the oil pan gasket.

Thanks for your input. I just read some threads about the nightmares of removing the oil pan and replacing the gasket. I bought a C5-R timing chain and debating if I should install it. I am concerned that once I separate the pan from the block I may introduce leaks unless I install a new gasket but since I need to lift the engine to get the pan out I may just skip the timing chain mod all together.

Anyone experience oil pan leak after dropping the pan? I know there are many with leaks out of the factory (stock)

[BLACK10]

Originally Posted by 1Camaro2SS

Thanks for your input. I just read some threads about the nightmares of removing the oil pan and replacing the gasket. I bought a C5-R timing chain and debating if I should install it. I am concerned that once I separate the pan from the block I may introduce leaks unless I install a new gasket but since I need to lift the engine to get the pan out I may just skip the timing chain mod all together.

Anyone experience oil pan leak after dropping the pan? I know there are many with leaks out of the factory (stock)

we have not had any trouble with leaks after doing a oil pump swap where the pan was dropped in the front for access. this is after doing dozens upon dozens of cam swaps.

[1Camaro2SS]

Thanks Black10! This is encouraging to hear from you.

[1Camaro2SS]

Another quick question. Is it true that in order to swap out the chain tensioner with a LS2 dampener, the oil pump needs to be removed out of the way? After seeing some photos, it seems the tensioner would slide right out as long as the sprocket is out of the way.

Thank