As above:

1. Can I do this without removing engine.
2. Do I need to remove the Timing chain cover to do this?
3. How to do it and how much of a PITA

Thanks.

 

1. Yes. But you will need to lift the motor off the mounts.
2. No
3. Lots of beer and patients. Its * tedious job. Even thou not an F-body here are the pics when I recently did it on my B-body

http://www.jbelectric.us/ot/ImpalaSS/oilpump/

 

1.) I disagree with andy, and HAVE done it without removing a bolt from the mounts with plenty of clearance.

2.)No

3.) Remove the bolts and replace the gasket, just make sure you unscrew the low oil level sensor or else your are going to have a tough time It takes about an hour and its not that bad.

 

I replaced mine because it tore taking the timing cover off. The timing cover does have to come off first. I did not have to jack up the motor to replace it. The pan will drop about an inch or so after removing all the bolts. You do need varouis wrenchs, sockets, etc. to get to all the bolts though. It took me about 2 hours including cleaning the mating surface. Place a rag on top of the steering rack so when you slide the gasket around the pan it does not get crap on it. I have an installed pic in my sig.

Jeff D.

 

I agree. Easy to do with motor in the car, though I didn't know you could do it with the motor mounts attached to the motor.
Just turn the #1 cylinder to half way thru it's travel so the counter weights and rod throws will be horizontal. And for SURE remove that farking low oil sensor! LOL... I didn't the first time and broke it. I was NOT going to be denied. I just hadn't known that the sensor is long and sticks over the oil pump pickup. I yanked the pan down till it snapped of the sensor. I purchased a new one for the reinstall and all was good.
Dave

 

Yes I agree. Theres just enough room to do the gasket with the motor in the car. You could even slide the pan out the back if you wanted to but jacking of the motor would be required. The only time I've done an oil pan gasket was on a fox-body Mustang and we replaced the oil pump with the motor in the car. What a PITA that was.

 

Thanks guys for all of the quick responses.