*%$#*&@* oil pan!!! Help please.

[Big Blzn]

So, I go to fix the rear main seal on my 400sbc and I can't get the F'n oil pan off. It only has about 3/8" clearence between it and the crossmember. Doesn't even seem close to comming out. Please tell me I don't have to move the tranny and t'case back and remove the flexplate too. Got a new milodon pan and all new seals and was expecting an easy afternoon. Ummm, NO!

What's the best course of action here fellas to get the pan off?

 

[mattybuilt76]

Pull fan shroud, motor mount bolts and lift the engine up enough to get the pan out.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Yea not an easy lazy day oil leak repair. I fully expect to have to pull my motor when mine starts leaking.Thank goodness it's new. This is where it pay's off to have the diy4x cross member upgrade.

 

[Big Blzn]

any other thoughts fellas. If I lift the engine to make clearence how do you do that since I don't have a cherry picker and the other way requires the use of the oil pan to lift, which won't work? I may check the cost to have a mechanic just do it and have him use my new parts I already have.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

only thing I can think of is lift motor with a jack and find some way to block it in that position before removing the pan

 

[USSkoval]

I'm guessing this is on your '72? It was a walk in the park changing the gasket on a 400 in a '77.

 

[BoondocK5]

only thing I can think of is lift motor with a jack and find some way to block it in that position before removing the pan

Raise it up using a jack then use a piece of 2x6 or some other large plank, whatever you think will hold 500 lbs. Lay it across you fenders (please use a couple of towels under the plank), you could even use a couple of two foot pieces if the same plank to spread the weight around a bit, essentially, you'll have something shaped like a capital "I" with the cross parts laying on top of the fenders running parallel with the tops of the fenders, and the long part laying over the engine that you have raised with a jack. Raise it as high as you dare, don't break the distributor cap or housing(don't ask) then chain the engine to that plank as tightly as you can get the chain, then let the jack down, WALLA! lifted engine!
Or you could real gentle like, lift the engine with the jack by the harmonic balancer, but you got to be careful as it was not meant to support weight like that.

 

[4X4HIGH]

1) Remove motor mount bolts

2) Jack up engine

3) Place blocks of wood between engine mount and frame bracket

4) Lower jack

5) Remove oil pan

6) Reverse procedure for install.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Or you could drive to Dana Point and pick up my engine hoist. Wait don't you work for a rental yard?

 

[Big Blzn]

I just ordered the DIY4X removable engine cross member. Should make my life easier once I get it in. Thanks for the help fellas.