Oil pan/gasket swap question

[garydan]

I've never done an oil pan. Do I need to remove the dipstick tube first (I have a 400ci sbc if that matters). I see I need to take off the converter housing. That looks easy enough. Other than that, it looks like just a few bolts and it will come off.

Nevermind.... I just went for it. Here is some engine anatomy for your enjoyment. See anything funny in there? :-) Is there anything else I should consider doing before putting on the new one-piece gasket and pan?

 

[garydan]

Is this a normal color for the internals? Has anyone used this stuff: http://www.auto-rx.com/

I heard it was really good stuff (from a mechanical engineer/"oil junkie" at my work)

 

[4X4HIGH]

The first pic is living proof to anyone who says a 400 block with 3 freeze plugs on the side is always a 4 bolt main block.

The sixth pic appears that there is a new balancer on the engine and although i can't see 100% of the balancer it looks like it's not a 400 balancer (no counterweighting)

Most times when i see an engine with that coloring on the internals it is usually from using Pennzoil (stay clear of that brand)

 

[garydan]

The first pic is living proof to anyone who says a 400 block with 3 freeze plugs on the side is always a 4 bolt main block.

The sixth pic appears that there is a new balancer on the engine and although i can't see 100% of the balancer it looks like it's not a 400 balancer (no counterweighting)

Most times when i see an engine with that coloring on the internals it is usually from using Pennzoil (stay clear of that brand)

I did put in Pennzoil (but only for the last 300 miles since I bought it from a previous owner).

The balancer does have a half moon silver thing that is probably the counterweight. It was just the half you couldn't see in the picture.

 

[British Slave]

300 miles of Pennzoil didn't do the color. I have run Pennzoil in all my vehicles except my diesels, for over 40 years with no problems or color as your's. What it looks like to me is high mileage and high temps. Looks well serviced but lots of miles. Did you change the oil pump? It looks to have been changed recently.
I would never put any additive to "clean" an engine. For one, I belive it may, if it really cleans, break something loose and put it somewhere it doesn't do good. If it cleans, why take a chance on causing the engine to start burning oil? If you want to clean it up, do an overhaul.

 

[garydan]

300 miles of Pennzoil didn't do the color. I have run Pennzoil in all my vehicles except my diesels, for over 40 years with no problems or color as your's. What it looks like to me is high mileage and high temps. Looks well serviced but lots of miles. Did you change the oil pump? It looks to have been changed recently.
I would never put any additive to "clean" an engine. For one, I belive it may, if it really cleans, break something loose and put it somewhere it doesn't do good. If it cleans, why take a chance on causing the engine to start burning oil? If you want to clean it up, do an overhaul.

I'm with you on the additives, but the guy that recommended it has researched and used the stuff I bought. He's a car buff and a mechanical engineer, so I figured it couldn't hurt. According to the cragslist ad the motor was "rebuilt" 7,000 miles ago. I've come to realize that was a load of horsesh!t. The rebuild was likely a new oil pump and new valve covers....lol.

 

[British Slave]

To answer another of your questions, no you do not have to remove the dipstick tube.

 

[4X4HIGH]

DO NOT put a cleaner additive in the oil. There is nothing wrong with some sludge or whatever just laying somewhere in the engine, but the minute you try to clean it out and stuff starts floating around it can easily plug an oil screen or seized an oil pump.

 

[Happyjohn]

Whenever I buy a used vehicle, and see sludge inside valve cover,
I have added a quart of ATF for about 300 miles,
powerful detergents in there. it will break sludge back down to dirt.
( I always change the filter first )

I have never had an issue.