1LECamaro-2

Need suggestions for easiest oil pan replacement methods.

We just completed an engine swap putting a L98 Hotcam Vette engine in our 1991 Z28-1LE. Now two weeks later while doing shock replacement we dropped the car off of the 3-ton jack before we could get the jack stands in place and ran the jack through the oil pan.

We do not want to pull the entire engine another time!

Is it possible to pull the pan off simply by removing the motor mounts and Y-pipe and lifting the engine as high as possible with a cherry picker?

We considered supporting the engine and tranny from above and pulling the K-member; however, we aren't very fond of removing 16 old brake line components.

Any help is appreciated.


Steve and Zack
1991 Camaro Z28-1LE
Factory 1LE T5 tranny
1LE A/C delete
L98 w/ Stealthram, 1.6 rockers and LT4 Hotcam
Koni SA shocks
900lb/250lb. custom road race springs
36mm/25mm bars
Chromoly adj. panhard bar
6-pt. Autopower cage
1LE brakes
Corbeau seats
Hoosier 315/35/17 A6 tires on 17x11 and 17x9.5 ZR1 rims

stealthblack

I've done it in the car on various 3d gens before in a pinch, but it is not my preferred method.You can squeak the pan out with the motor mounts disconnected and the motor on a hoist.I think once I had to disconnect the trans in place to pull the flexplate for room.
If your pickup wasn't welded to the oil pump, mock it up once with clay to make sure the clearance wasn't affected by crushing the pan.
It's hard keeping oil off everything this way.I clean up the inside block walls a few inches to buy me some time to get the gasket gasgecinched to the block, then do it again before mounting the pan up. Fel Pro's one piece pan gasket it well worth the $20 for this job.
Cheers

Marc 85Z28

Remove the engine mount through bolts, remove the distributor cap (may not be necessary on small cap cars), unbolt the exhaust and get the engine as high as it will go. Remove all the oil pan bolts and begin to remove it. Have someone slowly rotate the engine over as you pull and wiggle the pan to clear the crank. It will come out, but will require some convincing...

1987IROC350

I'm just curious. Did you put a turnkey motor from a Vette in? The reason I'm asking is the reason Chevy gave for not using that engine is because the hood clearance was zero. Meaning the hood wouldn't shut.

1LECamaro-2

Thanks all for the advice on the oil pan removal.

P.S. for 1987IROC350, the engine is a 1988 L98 Vette block, with a Holley Stealthram intake added in place of the stock TPI intake. It just barely fits under the hood, but does fit. The stock Chevy TPI is the same as on the Camaro so the engine except for the intake and Vette aluminum heads is the same as a L98 from a Camaro and would clearly fit under the hood.

I'd be interested in hearing where you got your car tuned at 1987IROC350. We have very similar cars and are in the process of obtaining a datalogger and chip burner to make a custom chip and would like to see a good starting point. We also are very close to each other. We live in Southbridge, Va, just an exit or 2 up I-95.

1987IROC350

Its in the shop now. My buddy owns a Boat store and he is doing all the work. His boat has twin superchargers with around 1000HP each motor. I got my chip from PCMFORLESS here on the site. Its a piggy back type. I grew up in Triangle and my mother in law is in Lakeridge so I know the area well. I'll PM you as soon as I get it back.