replacing 350 oil pan gasket with engine still installed

[zacharywest34]

I have a 1971 c20 with a 350 and the oil pan gasket is leaking pretty bad, ive read a couple other posts and they say you can change the gasket without removing the engine which is what im trying to do. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions with this, anything would help, thanks.

[dieseldawg142]

get a fel-pro one piece gasket. did the BB in my crew 5 yrs ago with it-no leaks, and last yr i did the 350 in my stepper with one- again so far no leaks

[cdowns]

read up on the board rules concerning double posting// after you read them you can read the service manual it tells in detail how to replace a pan gasket

[midniteblues]

hey zack yes you can do it but you'll prolly have too lift the engine.

from my expeirance the oil pick up hangs up when trying too drop the pan away from the crossmember.
just keep note of your fan&shroud distributer&firewall and any other hose's or wires you might pull on if you lift the motor.

its not a fun job to do laying on your back but it can be done.

its so much easyier too just yank the engine and do it on a stand.
but this always progress's too more tinkering but in the end you'll have a clean looking block
i always think if i gotta seal the engine might as well replace the timing seals and rear main.

my luck is once you fix one leak another will develope

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Remove the lower flywheel cover. Raise the engine & put blocks of wood under the mounts. Make sure the balancer throw at # 1 rod is in the up position. Its not near as hard to do as on a 6 cyl.

[ViviensTractor5110]

I have a short c10...just threw a 400 in it and like a dummy didn't pan it prior..long story short I did the gasket today and it was a breeze...not sure if my cross member is different...I guess I have the advantage of a small block sitting on 6cyl towers too...keeps everything 3 inches further back...but at any rate big thumbs up on the one piece felpro...awesome design...worth the money.

[snipescastle2]

I've done this before, but depending on your accessories, this may or may not work. I would first take off your distributer cap, lay it over your carburetor, then take out the bolts/nuts that fasten your engine mounts to the frame mounts(stands)using a small floor jack and a flat piece of wood under the oil pan and jack the engine up slowly, watching to make sure everything clears as you raise the engine, that's why I said to remove the distributer cap, otherwise, it would crack or bust into several pieces. then place a small piece of a 2 x 4 in between each mount and the frame stands, if they will fit. hopefully, that would give you enough room to work the pan off the engine (after you remove all the pan bolts that is) hope this helps.
Ben Smith

[zacharywest34]

Ive had some trouble, I messed up the balancer when jacking up the engine so now I got to replace that and I had to buy a new pan but I got a chrome plated one so it looks better anyway
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[choctawchevyclassics]

Originally Posted by zacharywest34

I have a 1971 c20 with a 350 and the oil pan gasket is leaking pretty bad, ive read a couple other posts and they say you can change the gasket without removing the engine which is what im trying to do. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions with this, anything would help, thanks.

A simple trick that has helped me in the past, when installing an oil pan and gasket in tight quarters, grab a spool of thread out of the sewing kit and tie a bit through several of the holes. Helps to hold the gasket in place while you fight the pan. Then, start the bolts and clip the thread and pull the thread out. Tighten the bolts and good to go.

[vics stuff]

I just replace the timing gears , oil pump and pan gasket. The 350 motors do have to be jacked up off the front motor mounts 2 " then you clear the lower pick up on the oil pump.
Just did this in the truck. You need to remove the starter also.
Vic