Somehow my oil pan cracked. I have no idea how, but I noticed it while swapping my springs yesterday. It's a little less than a 2 inch long crack in the middle towards the rear of the pan. It leaks about 1 drop a minute.

I tried to seal it up with some instant steel stuff. It worked for a little, but by the end of the night it was leaking again. I searched and didn't find anything about this.

What is involved on dropping the oil pan on an LS1? These are my options, in order right now of how I plan to do this. Please tell me a better way or point out a site with directions. Please!

1. Take it to a local shop and have them weld it.
2. Drop it myself and try some JB weld.
3. New oil pan.

 

I would probably get a new pan, or at a minimum have it welded properly. I *believe* the oil pan on the LS1 is actually a stressed member, so I would want to make sure it has as much integrity as possible.

 

This should be posted on LS1 Tech..... moving it there.

Fred
Moderator

 

Do NOT repair your pan for any other reason than to limp it home or to a dealer to get replaced.

Unlike any other Chevy SB engine, the LS1 oil pan is a structural part of the engine block. Its job is not only to hold oil, but it is the bottom part of the block, and as Chris B said, it must endure quite a bit of stress. I know it sucks, but you will need to replace it if you care about your car or its engine.

 

My plan of attack was to support the engine with my STB and drop the K member. But I was able to get JB Weld to seal up the damaged spot. It was only a nick on a corner so structural integrity wasn't a problem. No Leaks though.

http://2002.cz28.com/OilPanLeak.jpg