L33 oil pan swap

[Justin71105]

L59 truck motor

Ordered everything to swap my truck pan for an F body pan. When I replaced the gasket and pickup tube o ring the last time I had engine out of the truck.

Has anyone swapped the pan with the engine in the truck. I am guessing I would need to lift the engine some to clear the pickup tube and be able to drop pan past the bellhousing.

Thinking loosen trans mount bolts, take out engine mount bolts and raise engine a couple inches just before I need to pull the pan out. Then put all the new stuff in and get a bolt started on pan. Then lower engine back down onto perches and tighten bolts. Finall finish the pan with engine bolted back in place.


Any helpful info is appreciated.

[LS short box]

Won't say it can't be done pulling the truck pan and putting the Camaro pan in with the engine in the truck but the typical hang up is the oil pump pick up tube.
Also if you are going from a truck to a Camaro pan I believe you need to trim the front of truck windage tray to fit the Camaro pan. Not a big deal.

[Justin71105]

I ordered the whole setup to swap, pan/windage tray/ dipstick and tube/gasket.

Just hoping I can get it out and back in just lifting the engine and not pulling it completely out. Pick up tube will need engine to lift about 4" to clear I think. Camaro pan wont need as much it doesnt look like.

[mongocanfly]

If that pan has a baffle plate in it, it may be impossible to get the pan off/on very easily

[LS short box]

I just looked at a LS truck pan I have on the shelf and it has a baffle plate. I believe all LS engines have a baffle plate of some sort or another.

[Justin71105]

Guess I'll find out this weekend or next, worst case the motor will come out to do it. And the worst part of that is removing my front fenders/clip/radiator.

Pulling the motor after that isnt that bad its just getting everything out of the way for my engine hoist to get in their.

Goingto try and raise the engine 4" and see if the old pan will come out.

[LS short box]

Could you just take the hood off, unbolt the trans and lift the engine enough so you can drop the pan?

[Justin71105]

Originally Posted by LS short box

Could you just take the hood off, unbolt the trans and lift the engine enough so you can drop the pan?

Was going to try to unbolt trans mount bolts and raise motor with it still attatched first. If that doesnt give enough then I may unbolt trans and see if it will raise a little more before disassembly.


Only need rear of pan to drop around 4-5" to clear bell housing and pickup should come out as well lowering that far for sure.

[Justin71105]

It isnt that bad at all, used my engine hoist to lift it maybe an inch and the truck pan came out. Got the pickup tube, windage tray and dipstick/tube out.

My pickup tube got delayed a day but went ahead and got the new windage tray in and put the new pan under it and put a few bolts in to see how it sits.

Puts it up flush with the bottom of the bell housing, pretty easy job with engine in truck for sure if you can lift the engine a little.

[LS short box]

Glad you had good success.

[Justin71105]

Me too I was worried the motor would need to come out. Finished it up today, will let the rtv in the corners cure over night and check for leaks sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Have a handful of small things to do tomorrow, install oil cooler fittings, ignition switch into dash and order a horn.

Have to do some research on a remanufactured transmission from the parts stores. Was going to have a shop do mine but I think I want to order one and just put it in myself when I have time.

Local shop that does a lot of chevy stuff recomended getting one from advanced auto or similar as well. Comes with a 4 year warranty and reading the website it is conpletely rebuilt and tested. Will read some more and make up my mind by the end of the month.

[LS short box]

I never done the parts store in my case a 4L60E trans. We have a local trans builder that's been doing auto and manual trans building for 40 years. He will only use the best parts in the rebuild. No short cuts. I like Yank billet converters.
Be careful on the parts store warranty. Some say the trans has go into the vehicle that it bought for and possibly installed by certified repair shop.

[Justin71105]

Truck is in a local shop for transmission reman.

After talking to several people who have had them rebuilt this shop was #1 on the list. Its also been around for 30+ years and has excellent reviews online. Should have it back in a few more weeks. Then I just need an exhaust and alignment to start driving around town.