Topic: Oil Pan Removal w/Engine in Vehicle
in Forum: C3 Engines
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My oil pan leaks and has big dents, so I plan to remove it and replace it on the weekend.
Has anyone done this recently? I would like some tips and advice. My car has dual exhaust pipes, so the exhaust is not in the way.
I plan to put #1 and #2 at TDC so crank will be out of the way at front of pan.
I plan to drop the pitman arm and let steering hang down.
Also does anyone know if I can replace rear seal with minimum effort while I'm in there?
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
You should be able to get the pan down with the steering out of the way. Are you replacing this a factory style pan?
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Jack, I'm also needing to replace mine. I found a nice stock replacement on e-bay. A friend that builds motors for a living insists I remove the motor as the rear main seal is such a PITA to do in the car. I'm doing the front end over also and it gives me a chance to clean and repaint the front end with the motor out of the way.
Let us know how you make out I'd like to know how the real seal works out for you.
eboHere is a nice article on the complete "how to" on the seal replacement -http://www.corvettehacks.com/article5.html - they make it sound pretty straight forward and easy if you can get the car up in the air high enough. Wouldn't want to do this job with the car only three feet in the air; so therefore I paid a shop to do mine two years ago. They did not remove the engine, they did it a shown on this link. It didn't leak for about 3 months but now it is back again PITA
Good luck with it in either case
Good luck with it in either caseyes I will replace pan witha factory pan that I bought off E Bay.
Do you think I can get this done on Sunday and take my wife out to dinner in the evening in the Vette?
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Well, I'm not gonna hold my breath !!! No, no no. uh uh.
Dan
[QUOTE=jp75vette]yes I will replace pan witha factory pan that I bought off E Bay.
Do you think I can get this done on Sunday and take my wife out to dinner in the evening in the Vette?
[/QUOTE]
Well lets think about that, if you get it done.....if....you for sure will be stressed out, you will have placed enough coin into the "Swear Jar" to buy a 12 pack. So for sure you will want to drink.
Problem is...will the wife want to go out to dinner with someone that stinks of motor oil? For sure it will take three days to get the oil out of your pours and lets not even mention the sliced up body parts.
Yeah diner for sure in the vette........at the local SONIC 
Please oh please let us know how it works out fer ya..................................
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Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Don't let them scare you off! Removing and reinstalling the pan takes a couple of hours at the most. And sometimes the seal takes an extra fifteen minutes, if it goes well. Loosen (but do not remove) all of the other main bearings to let the crank sag a bit, then just push the old seal out and the new seal in. Sometimes it helps to rotate the engine to help pull the seal along. Do not line up the ends of the seal with the block, but rather offset it a quarter inch or so. Do the same with the seal in the cap. Then re-torque everything and put the pan back on.
Larry
Larry
Listen to Larry, he is right. Slow and steady wins the race, put on some tunes and take your time. Good luck with it.
in Forum: C3 Engines
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