Quick question about oil pan removal

Just how high does a engine need to be lifted to remove the oil pan and replace the gasket? I would thing the front of the engine would need to come up 4 inches at least, and if this is a good amount, will the tranny hit the tunnel before. The positive is it is a fleetwood, so the motor is further forward away from the fire wall than a b-body

IMPALADAKID wrote:

Just how high does a engine need to be lifted to remove the oil pan and replace the gasket? I would thing the front of the engine would need to come up 4 inches at least, and if this is a good amount, will the tranny hit the tunnel before. The positive is it is a fleetwood, so the motor is further forward away from the fire wall than a b-body

Are you planning topull the pan?

phantom 309 wrote:

IMPALADAKID wrote:

Just how high does a engine need to be lifted to remove the oil pan and replace the gasket? I would thing the front of the engine would need to come up 4 inches at least, and if this is a good amount, will the tranny hit the tunnel before. The positive is it is a fleetwood, so the motor is further forward away from the fire wall than a b-body

Are you planning topull the pan?

I would like to just unbolt the motor mounts, and lift the engine up enough for the oil pan to clear the mains, and crossmember. So yes, a top pull. But was thinking about a chain bolted to either side of the front of the engine, and just lift there. But only if it will lift high enough. Other than that, I will have to pull the engine.

Sorry Bill. I've never done it before...

toomanytoyz wrote:

Sorry Bill. I've never done it before...

Me either. The only time I have ever done it, was on a old 4x4 truck, that had no cross member under the oil pan.

I'm guessing Nick was asking if your planning to PULL or just change the gasket.
So you dant have to REMOVE the pan, just seperate it....
I could be wrong tho....just they way I read the post

sdstick wrote:

I'm guessing Nick was asking if your planning to PULL or just change the gasket.
So you dant have to REMOVE the pan, just seperate it....
I could be wrong tho....just they way I read the post

I thought he was asking if I was planning on lifting it from the top by a hoist, or jacking it with a floor jack off the harmonic balancer. I would if at all possible not have to remove the engine. If I can pull the motor up enough to wiggle the gasket out, clean and reinstall a new one, that would work too. I know that the section of the gasket that goes under the front and rear of the crank is tough to remove as it bonds to the aluminum, but as long as I have room to clean the gasket mating surfaces good, is really all that is important.

I did it in the Impala. I attached a hoist with two chains in the front, removed the two engine mount bolts, and loosened the tranny bolt. I can't say how high but it can be done if you have the crank in the right position. I forget where that was. I searched the big board for it. I found the position mentioned there was close.

I removed the starter, oil filter adapter, and dip stick.

Those little plastic pins that come with the Fel-Pro gasket come in handy.