Oil pan gasket

[Wicked WE4]

How hard is to change the oil pan gasket with engine still in the car? I know it will have to be lifted off the motor mounts, but is there somethings to watch out for? Also is there a brand or type of gasket better than others, the previous owner replaced the rear main seal and pan gasket not very long before he sold it and the oil pan gasket is already leaking.

 

[Jeff Rand]

You would have to watch out for the oil pickup and the baffle in the oil pan. You will have to remove the inspection cover for the torque converter and crossover pipe. The best way is to remove the two bolts that hold the motor mounts to the frame and jack up the front of the engine. I use cork gaskets that Kenny Duttweiler sells. Might want to use gasket cinch ( contact adhesive) and attach the gasket to the block. I am sure I am forgetting something but I think that covers the major points. Also clean the pickup screen and the inside of the oil pan before reassembly.
Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[chrisgarrett]

Normally you can remove the oil pan without lifting the engine. The only time you need to lift the engine is if the motor mounts are bad; otherwise, you can remove the crossover pipe and push the pan back as far as possible and then down. It needs to go back in order to get the baffle past the pickup tube.

 

[Wicked WE4]

Thanks guys. I thought it looked possible to pull the pan without raising the engine. I will give it a try first.:smile:

 

[ITSAV6]

The crank has to be in a certain position for the pan to come out. Just jack up the motor and put a small piece of 2x4 under the mounts. The extra 1.5" of clearance will be appreciated! The cork gasket is the best. Use thread to tie the gasket to the pan in 4 or 5 spots.

 

[Wicked WE4]

Thanks for all the info. I can get a GM pan gasket for it, are these any good?

 

[Just a Six??]

Exrta thick cork from RJC, Spray tack it to the pan & let dry. Add some dental floss here & there to the holes & once started cut the floss off. Save it to do you teeth later so there is no waste! LOL!
Remember if you remove the oil pump pickup to Locktite it back in! You can do it with the pan hanging down & box end wrench quite easily if need be?

 

[Wicked WE4]

What do the oil pan bolts torque to?

 

[chrisgarrett]

What do the oil pan bolts torque to?

88"lbs. Just go around until they are all goodnsnug.

 

[Wicked WE4]

Is there one oil pan bolt shorter than the rest and if so where is it supposed to go? I know that the front three are smaller bolts, the one in question is the same size as all the rest but half as long, I did not see which hole it came from when I removed the pan.

 

[chrisgarrett]

Except for the front 3, they should all be the same.

 

[Wicked WE4]

Thanks, the previous owner must have lost one and replaced with the short bolt.

 

[8AV8]

88"lbs. Just go around until they are all goodnsnug.

88 lbs seems a little much.

Is the motor girdled?

Are you sure it isn't the rear main?

Let "The Right Stuff" be your friend...

 

[chrisgarrett]

88 inch pounds is what the service manual calls for.

 

[chrisgarrett]

You did see the (")?

 

[8AV8]

You did see the (")?

Whoopsey Daisey...you're right...

I was like...you'll know you've gone too far when the gasket is hanging out a 1/4 inch, all the way around...lol...