oil pan removal?
 

So I'm trying to replace my rear main seal on my 350, but I cant even get as far as to take the oil pan off. Its no longer attached, but I cant seem to get it out, as the flexplate gets in the way. Anyone know how to get it out?

Re: oil pan removal?
 

Did you undo the motor mounts and raise the motor?

Re: oil pan removal?
 

No, I dont have a cherry picker, so I'm trying to avoid doing that. Do I need to?

Re: oil pan removal?
 

You can do it with a floor jack. You need to undo the motor mounts, and raise the motor so you can get some short pieces of 2" x 4"s in where the mounts are.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

what do i use the floor jack on? it will dent the oil pan, wont it?

Re: oil pan removal?
 

keep and eye on distributor so it does not break

Re: oil pan removal?
 

Hope someone else chimes in, there is certain position you can turn the crankshaft to so the counterweights are out of the way at the front making pan removal easier. I don't remember the exact prodedure.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

Factory Service Manual says to put a flat piece of wood under the oil pan and jack it up. Watch your fan in the shroud and the distributor as mentioned.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

I've always loosened the motor mounts and placed a block of wood under the harmonic balancer. Then I jack the motor up using my floor jack. It doesn't have to move up a whole bunch to work. I've never had any problems doing it this way. I'm also unaware of any issues that can arise by doing it this way. The problem with placing the block of wood on the oil pan is that you can't pull the pan. I guess you could do it that way and place blocks of wood between the motor and mounts to keep the motor raised, then set it back down pull the pan. That seems like a lot of messin' around though.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

-
The timing mark needs to be at 6 o'clock for max clearance but I'm not sure that will help with the problem he's having....

LockDoc

Re: oil pan removal?
 

Thanks Doc, I thought that was right, 6 o'clock, but wanted to be sure. Motor needs to be jacked, every little bit helps.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

Turn the crank so the rotor in the distributor is pointing at the number six cylinder on the cap. This position will help the pan to clear the journels of the crank.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

What these guys said... raising the motor definately helps. I also jacked from underneath w/ a 2x4 on the harmonic balancer... then then i did it later w/o a jack & had no problems... as long as you turn the engine to the correct clock position.

Re: oil pan removal?
 

Another thing to watch is your fuel line depending on your set up. When I raised the motor, it put alot of stress on the line coming from the pump. Mine was old and cracked while I had it up. I also put 2x4 blocks under the motor mounts incase the jack slipped.