Hi-
Any idea how hard it is to access (take off) the oil pan on a 1986 vette? I need to replace the oil pump. It's been brought to my attention that my oil temp is red-lining because of a hi-flo pump installed (but no hi-po pan). My pressure always runs 72-80psi. I suspect this is what causes my oil temp to sky rocket and I cant drive the car more than 10 miles. The engine has been modified ;long ago.
Any help?
Steve

 

The pan on an 86 is pretty easy to drop. I've dropped the pan on my 86 a few times and it's not hard at all. Lots of time on my back, but not bad at all.

Other than the pan bolts, I had to loosen the bolts to and swivel out of the way the two diagonal braces. I removed the in-board most bolts then remove the out-board bolts.

Not sure if all 86s have those two braces; mine is a Z51.

I've heard all sorts of stories about high pressure oil pumps, but haven't heard they cause sky rocketing oil temps.

What are the numbers you're seeing?

Jake

 

hi, i have an 86 and just pulled the oil pan off of it. i had no problems at all. i jacked the car up high and set it on 4 stands, then i dropped the exhaust off of the car, removed the starter and the flywheel shield, unbolted the pan and dropped it off. i had to lower the rear of the pan and work it off because the oil pickup is low in the pan. you should also move the wiring harness that crosses the k-member below the pan by unclipping the spring type clips and then moving the harness down and out of the way. i removed the old gaskets and replaced them with the one piece gasket. i cleaned the gasket surfaces very good with rubbing alcohol and made sure there was no old gasket material on the block and pan. i also dropped the main bearing caps to check the condition of the bearings and 4 of the rod bearing caps. all in good condition. you will have to remove the windage tray because the oil pump bolt goes through it. i had to use a craftsman 1/2 inch drive socket to remove and retorque the windage tray long main bolts. i used a small amount of silicone smeared on the pan gasket to ensure a good seal. not enough to squeze out and look like a joke though. check the front of the pan to ensure that the gasket stayed in place with a mirror after you put a few bolts in it to ensure that the front part of the gasket stayed in place. this is an easy job not to be in fear of. hope this helps

 

The pan is easy to remove but I doubt the high volume high pressure pump is the cause of your high oil temperatures.