Oil Pan Clearance Question

[PbFut]

Is there sufficient room to pull the oil pan on a 72 C20 OEM SBC or does the engine require lifting to provide clearance?
I always get nervous moving large parts for fear it won't drop back into correct position laying on my back pissed off and using language unbecoming.
I searched an hour and did not find a definitive answer. Likely right in front of me, but new here so have some patients please.
Prepping for RMS replacement.
Thanks in advance.

[C101972]

There is, Turn the motor over so that the mark on the balancer is to the bottom “ or 6 o’clock “. take the long motor mount bolts out “one on each side”. If you have a cherry picker, lift the motor up high enough to put the motor mount bolts back in on top of the existing mount of the frame, if you don’t have a cherry picker you can use a floor jack “carefully jacking up on the balancer”. When the balancer is at 6’oclck all the journals are up in the block and the oil pan can be removed. Thanks Chuck
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[PbFut]

Thank you sir.
I was hoping not to have to unbolt the mounts. Getting the mount bolts to realign is always my fear. Suspected it was needed. Parts just ordered. Should be able to fit the project in next week.

[pjmoreland]

If you loosen the bolts that attach the engine stands to the frame and cross member, then it will be much easier to get the motor mount bolts to align when reinstalling them.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by C101972

you can use a floor jack “carefully jacking up on the balancer”.

Gary

[C101972]

If you use a block of wood and jack up on the balancer you will have no problems, have done it many a times. Or just take a little more time and pull the motor out and do your repairs on engine stand.
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[MARKDTN]

'72 should have the clamshell mounts. Much easier IMHO to line back up than the earlier style.