I'm now to the point of lowering the oil pan. i don't think i can get all the bolts loose to drop the pan down. what can i do? I've heard of getting the front 4 out and then prying on it, but my luck would be to bend the oil pan or rip the gasket. need some help

 

You can get all of them out except the very last towards the back of the car where they interfere with the trans. This will allow you to pull the front of the pan down and work the gasket loose (The oil filter needs to come off as well as the oil cooler lines if you have those). If your trying to get the pan all the way off then youve got some more work to do.

 

You can do it, Your just going to have to use a combination of different sockets and and wrenches. But the pan must come down slightly. ALL the bolts must be loose. Dont take them out but loosen them to the point were you can pry on the pan and someone else can put the gasket in correctly. I always did hate that part of cam swaps.

 

All the bolts/studs must be loosened to lower the front part of the pan, if you loosen the fron and pry on it you will bend it. The pan must be droped about an inch in the front for proper installation of the pan gasket and to be able to apply soem RTV in this area. Just take your time to do it right.

 

I took them all out with the automatic on the car, using extensions I think. Don't know if the two rear bolts would be that accessible with a 6 speed, but I would think you should be able to remove them. Might need to take the inspection cover off.

 

Small bolts are 3/8. I believe the larger ones aer 7/16. Not quite sure.
For the love of Christ and everything that is holy.. please DO NOT pry on the oil pan.
I always drop all the bolts except for the back two. As said, an assortment of extensions will make the process easier. I try my damnedst to keep the front seal on the oil pan gasket in tact.

 

Does the oil pan have to come out when removing the cam?

TIm

 

I've never removed any oil pan bolts. If the engine is in the car than I do the old hotrodders trick and trim the edges of the timing cover lip and slip it back on. Works great...

 

No.

 

The pan does not have to come out but it does have to be dropped a little because the bottom of the timing chain cover is in the front of the oil pan.


Tim

 

Just keep working at it. You will get it. I loosen the back ones up about all the way out . And take all the front ones out. That allows it to drop down.

 

I also do not drop the pan... if you put the bottom of the timing cover on first at a slight angle(with the gasket in the timing cover groove) and push down as you slide the cover over the 2 pins it works fine and there are no leaks.

 

Exactly, thanks.. I coudln't think of how to word the little trick.

 

Risky, since the timing cover is designed to go on first, then the oil pan seals to the timing cover bottom. I've worked on cars long enough to know that it is better not to take chances, especially if can cause you a lot more work. To each his own, though.

With the right tools, it might take you 30 minutes longer to drop the pan down. Seems worth it to me.

 

so if i didn't unbolt the pan, how would i get the timing cover off in the first place? and also, does this mean i don't have to remove the oil cooler? thanx