I am preparing the install the hogshead.
The fourth main (I believe that is what it is called) has two gaskets. This is my thought.
The current gaskets seem to be oil soaked (see pic below). Cut both gaskets flush with the pan. Prep the fourth main like I would the pan (really clean with acetate). The new gaskets would be sealed (with permatex black) one to the fourth main the second to the hogshead.
Should I put permatex black between the two gaskets?

When I pulled the hogshead off, the felt was missing.
Now for the really big question felt or no felt?

I have read the 2 to 3 step process of sealing and setting the gaskets. I am planning on taking my time because I don’t want to have to visit this again any time soon.

Too much leaking and I can tell where it is coming from. So I am attacking it one piece at a time.

No, only one gasket, the one on the drive shaft ball cap shouldn't be there.
I always use the felt, so no help to you on using anything else.

I have no leaks since I quit using felt. I us TheRightStuff instead.

I don't use felt either,just RTV or suitable sealer. Be sure to allow it to cure before use.I agree on gasket,ony one there.

You can do as you propose, only one gasket is needed but since 2 are there you might go with two. I am not sure why your father in law would have used two gaskets. Be sure you get some RTV where the gaskets join at the pan interface.

As for the felt seal, I use it but I coat both sides of it with Permatex RTV with an extra blob at each lower corner.

If you use a gasket in the drive tube ball, the drive shaft tube ball will not be tight in the ball cap.

Herm.

I see a number of cars that have two gaskets there. You one need one and Herm gives the reason why.

Really, your photo seems to show 3 gaskets total. The two that are apparently between the 4th main & hogshead are o.k. but I question why the second one is needed. The one that is between the 4th main and the ball retaining ring needs to go.

Maybe, he could not or did not line up the hogshead at the flange. That would leave a lip and maybe he tried to fix with two gaskets. Just a wag.

There are factory machining errors present on some combinations of pans and/or hogsheads which occasionally prevent the rear of the pan and rear of the hogshead being absolutely flush with each other when there are bolts in all the pan holes.

Probably 90 percent of the time, these surfaces line up nice and flush.

BUT...

I would imagine there are quite a few T's out there with 1/2 a ball cap gasket on the offending part to "shim" and make the mating surface even.

I would imagine there are quite a few more T's out there where the mechanic never realized there was an issue, slopped it full of sealer, and torqued the ball cap down, maybe tilting it out of alignment...