Oil pan gasket replace process?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Oil pan gasket replace process?
Is there a thread or link to a step by step article for replacing the oil pan gasket on my 1990 coupe?
How long does the job usually take? I already have the 1 piece gasket. I am trying to decide if I want to tackle this myself or just pay someone to do it.
Thanks
Wade
How long does the job usually take? I already have the 1 piece gasket. I am trying to decide if I want to tackle this myself or just pay someone to do it.
Thanks
Wade
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
I don't know how much different a 90 is compared to my 84 but my oil pan wasn't too bad to get out other than having to drop the starter and this dustshield on the back of the bell housing. If you take your time, two hour job tops unless there is a major difference. I had the engine at tdc on number 1 by the way.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 234
Likes: 20
From: Stuart Florida
I don't know how much different a 90 is compared to my 84 but my oil pan wasn't too bad to get out other than having to drop the starter and this dustshield on the back of the bell housing. If you take your time, two hour job tops unless there is a major difference. I had the engine at tdc on number 1 by the way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
if you're working from the bottom of the engine, the job goes a whole lot easier if, instead of using the oil pan oem cap screws, you use studs screwed into the block, and then fit the gasket over them first, the studs will tend to hold the gasket up in place while you fit the pan in place and screw the nuts onto the studs.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 324
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
if you're working from the bottom of the engine, the job goes a whole lot easier if, instead of using the oil pan oem cap screws, you use studs screwed into the block, and then fit the gasket over them first, the studs will tend to hold the gasket up in place while you fit the pan in place and screw the nuts onto the studs.
Felpro? Look for a pic, see if there are four blue sticks.
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 53
Likes: 4
From: Montreal
Anything to unplug from the engine when lifting such as power steering pump to rack hose?
Where did you hook up to raise the engine?
BTW, I got misled cause in the service manual in "Oil pan remove" they never talk about raising the engine.... in the "Install" the list the steps and one of them is "lower engine"..... (!)
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
I"m in process to change the gasket on a 1995 coupe. By how much do I need to raise the engine?
Anything to unplug from the engine when lifting such as power steering pump to rack hose?
Where did you hook up to raise the engine?
BTW, I got misled cause in the service manual in "Oil pan remove" they never talk about raising the engine.... in the "Install" the list the steps and one of them is "lower engine"..... (!)
Thanks.
Anything to unplug from the engine when lifting such as power steering pump to rack hose?
Where did you hook up to raise the engine?
BTW, I got misled cause in the service manual in "Oil pan remove" they never talk about raising the engine.... in the "Install" the list the steps and one of them is "lower engine"..... (!)
Thanks.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I buy a spray can of that light tacky glue. Spray a light coat, stick the gasket on the pan, let it dry..I usually put the bolts back in the pan to keep the holes aligned. They just drop in.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 234
Likes: 20
From: Stuart Florida
I"m in process to change the gasket on a 1995 coupe. By how much do I need to raise the engine?
Anything to unplug from the engine when lifting such as power steering pump to rack hose?
Where did you hook up to raise the engine?
BTW, I got misled cause in the service manual in "Oil pan remove" they never talk about raising the engine.... in the "Install" the list the steps and one of them is "lower engine"..... (!)
Thanks.
Anything to unplug from the engine when lifting such as power steering pump to rack hose?
Where did you hook up to raise the engine?
BTW, I got misled cause in the service manual in "Oil pan remove" they never talk about raising the engine.... in the "Install" the list the steps and one of them is "lower engine"..... (!)
Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 53
Likes: 4
From: Montreal
I was doing a cam swap. But from what I recall, you will need to disconnect radiator hoses and transmission coolant lines from the radiator if you have an automatic. Each motor mount has one bolt. Easy. I then got a flat piece of wood about 1" thick about the size of the oil pan. I placed the wood under the oil pan and used it to ptotect the oil pan while using the hydraulic jack to raise the engine...SLOWLY. Watch your firewall from on top for clearance as you jack it up. Once the engine is up a couple of inches, or the firewall clearance is reached I had two pieces of hardwood about 1 1/2" X 1 1/2 inch and about 3" long. (Home Depot is your friend) I stuffed one in each side where the motor mounts separate when you raise the engine. Then lower your hydraulic jack and change the oil pan gasket. The wood pieces support the engine just fine. No issues at all. I had to do this to get my camshaft to clear, as well. Reverse to lower the engine and replace the mount bolts. Mine is a 1994, but I assume it is the same process.
No issue with power steering line to rack? And no issues with squishing the gasket and creating leaks when you re-jacked the car from the pan? Thinking of cam as well... but for next winter project.
Do you have headers? What cam did you use?
Thanks again.