Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil Pan Gasket replacement, w/ a couple pix

[GAmes]

There have been many times, while reading the forums, that I have been glad I don't have a 4WD. Track bars, death wobble, and hub bearings to name a few. This weekend I found another thing... ... ... replacing the oil pan gasket. After reading numerous posts, there is a lot of info that includes removing the transmission and block adapter Apparantly they were all from 4WD owners. I am happy to report that a 2WD isn't that tough (pay attention Smitty). I already had the intake tube from the cooler removed. I removed the fan, the V clamps for the turbo and the exhaust elbow. I removed #s 4, 5 & 6 valve covers. I backed the nuts off the engine mount thru bolts to the end, but did not remove them. I put the hook thru the front lifting eye and up it went. I cut a 2X4 into 4 inch lengths and put them under the engine mounts, 2 on each side, just in case the engine lift failed. Lots of clearance, almost 7 inches from the block to the crossmember. Removed the 36 bolts that hold the pan on with an air wrench. Pry the pan off. Easy to get to the bolts that hold on the oil pick up tube (4). Drop the pickup into the pan and it easily comes out. The hardest part was scraping the old gasket from the block and pan. That took more time the rest of the job. When I reinstalled the pickup I put thread lock on the bolts. Now all I have to do is wait for my IP to come back from the rebuilders

 

[NIsaacs]

That has got to be the cleanest crossmember and front end parts I have ever seen, short of a brand new truck. This is on a 1997 heavy work truck, I could eat off it



Nick

 

[hsmith]

Got it Gary. Maybe I will tackle mine someday. Looks like you did a bit of precleaning.

 

[GAmes]

Looks like you did a bit of precleaning.

Oh, just a little:-laf A clean work area makes a job a lot easier.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Gary,

How did you keep your hands so clean? No oil drips on your shirt sleeve?

:-laf:-laf



Bill

 

[GCroyle]

Bill,



Cm'on, can't you tell that's a hand model, a stunt hand, a stand in for what should be a full set of busted knuckles!



And he just replaced that X-member to clean, prime and shine it up.



Gary,



Is that a bit of dust on the coil spring?

 

[GAmes]

LOL. I can not tell a lie. I took it apart one day and put it back together the next. I'm retired, I don't have to rush things. The first thing I did in the morning was take a picture so to not get my camera dirty. Unfortunately, there is dirt in the places my power sprayer doesn't hit, and over the years I have learned how to avoid busting my knuckles. :-laf

 

[GCroyle]

Gary,



I jsust finished a Civic SI clutch for training purposes and the conclusion will have a statement to the effect of:



"It was only a 3 bandaid project"



But this statement was made to me back in 1975 as I was contemplating the R&R on a 7500 mile Camaro clutch (I actually bought it new, always had a rotten clutch intil I replaced it) came from a very close neighborhood hero friend:



"It's only 4 bolts!"



It has stuck with me since '75 and led to a many a bandaid since.



Don't leave any parts on the bench or some place you can't reach with a magnet retreiver!