Gaskets, 87 vs 96, what's the diff?

Need to replace the motor in my 87, have an 87 take-out with 75k miles in the garage. Both 4.0 auto motors. Wanted to replace the valve cover, rear main (and oil pan) gaskets before the swap. Checked at O'Reilly for the late rear main (used 96 for year). Seal $29, valve cover $27, oil pan $18. Sticker shock! Checked on 87 - seal $29 (same part # as 96, assume superceed), V.C. $12, oil pan $7.

What's the difference in gaskets between 87 and 96? Know to use late rear main - but beyond that I thought they used the same gaskets.

TIA, Cheropair

The 87 used a 4-piece pan gasket. Two long runners along the sides, a short one across the back, and another short one across the front. It was a PITA to install and make the corner joints oil-tight.

Somehere around model year 94 they superceded the 4-piece gasket and came out with a nice, 1-piece rubber pan gasket. The dealer parts system will tell you that the older part number is superceded by the new one. The aftermarket stores don't seem to know that, and they will probably tell you that the new style gasket won't fit an 87 engine. It will. There are two small holes in the bottom surface of the timing chain cover that are there to receive locating pimples on the old style front piece. You need to seal up those holes, and the 1-piece gasket set should include specific instructions on doing that.

It's an expensive gasket, but it makes life much easier.