Re: Engine Rebuild

Posted by BigKev On 2010/5/29 10:51:30

I can confirm you can drop the oil pan on 51-54 with the motor in the car. As Dave said it take a little maneuvering. First you have to drop the lower bell-housing cover to get to the rear pan bolts and give you clearance.

Now you wiggle the pan out as Dave stated, but it is easier if you drop the steering cross-shaft out of the way. What I did was use a 2x4 wedged between the engine crossmember and the sway-bar, with a floor jack to lift the front of the motor by dampener. Jack in up as much as you can (or the rear transmission mount will allow). That should allow you to get access to the pan bolts that are obscured by the crossmember. Then with all the bolts removed and the pan broke loose, you can then wiggle the pan out towards the rear of the car.

Then you can scrape all the old gasket off the bottom of the block. Make sure you clean out the oil pickup while you are in there.

On reinstall, cement the gasket to the pan and let setup, and then apply normal sealant to the top of the gasket. The gasket cement will keep the gasket in place while you giggle the pan back into place.