1996 4.3 2 wheel drive
I need to replace my oil pan gasket and was told I had to pull the engine to replace it. Anyone know short cuts or any thing I can do short of pulling the engine. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

No real short cuts....the problem is....there is not enough clearance for the oil pan to drop down far enough to clear the oil pick-up tube...it will hit the crossmember.

You could just disconnect the motor mounts, trans mount and necessary coolant hoses and lift the engine high enough to clear and get the pan off. But, pulling the engine is the best way. Sorry.

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

yeah i just checked alldata and it dont tell you squat. heres what you got

Remove or Disconnect

• Drain the engine oil.

1. Engine from the vehicle.
2. Oil pan bolts, nuts, and reinforcements.
3. Oil pan.
4. Rubber bell housing plugs.
5. Gasket.

 

I read up on doing this as well and found that you also might need to remove the timing chain cover and oil pump in the process and also the front axel mounts. it makes the job go from insane to do-able.

 

The timing cover should not have to come off (it might though each case is different)....the gasket should lay on the bottom side of it.....as for the axle mounts...its a 2wd..I don't think that will apply here.

 

so basically unless the thing is pouring oil out leave it the heck alone. i always wondered if you could always just drop the pan and silicone the hell out of it and rebolt it back up and get away with it

 

^ worked in a 1500 truck i had...








for 2 weeks...then got worse....lol

 

It will work if you get everything nice and clean. I used Honda Ultra Flange II Sealant on my oil pan for my honda (of course) instead of a new gasket and it worked great. Now I use that stuff instead of regular silicone...it is good up to 400F or 450F and it has never failed...but, the down side is that if you ever have to take the oil pan off you will more than likely bend the sides.

 

thats what i figured. id spray the heck out of it with break cleaner for a hour then wipe it then let it sit for a few day. if the motor is a turd, can always jb weld it