Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

It's about time for an oil change and I wanted to replace the pan gasket as it's seeping pretty good all the way around.

Can anyone tell me if there is clearance to remove the oil pan without jacking the engine up or dropping the suspension. I'd like to know what I'm getting into before I'm neck deep.

Those cars can be prone to saggy front engine mounts but usually there is still clearance enough. You will need to remove the lower bellhousing for clearance, and as you extract the pan towards the rear you may have to turn the engine a bit to get the front crank counterweights up out of the way.

You may be stunned what all you find inside. Be sure to pry the cover off of the pickup screen and have a look. Also the two compression fittings on the pickup tube will almost certainly want snugging.

Good advice from Ross.

In addition, you will need to drop the steering linkage to get enough room to get the pan off. No worries on this, just unfasten the idler arm where it attaches to to the frame on the RH side. After this, just pull the linkage down out of the way.

Also, you may need to turn the engine a few degrees so the front crankshaft throws are turned up for more clearance. Easy to do with a large screwdriver working on the flywheel teeth.

Clean that oil pump pick-up screen too.

I find that adhering the new gasket to the pan with no adhesive on the engine side works well. Then, next time the pan and gasket will come down with little or none of the gasket sticking to the engine. Maybe you will luck out and the person who did this job before you did it this way.

(o[]o)