1971 Oil Pan Change
 

hello, I have oil drain plug leak and think i need to change the pan. I actually have a couple questions and would appreciate any support.

* what steering linkage parts do i dismantle to drop pan? (1971)
* should sealant be used on new gasket?
* what type of new pan is suggested, any thoughts where to buy?

any tips are appreciated.

thank you,

greg

1) Remove the two bolts that hold the idler arm to the passenger side frame rail. The steering rod will then swing down enough to get the pan off.

2) Do yourself a favor and use the rubber one piece pan gasket. It only requires a little dab of RTV in the four corners next to the end caps.

3) A stock style oil pan will be just fine, but make sure the baffle will accept the oil pump pickup that is installed on your car. It would be best if you can take your old pan off first and compare.

Do you have the washer on the drain plug? Mine was starting to leak and it was just the washer not forming a seal anymore. A quick $2 fix.

GM makes a metal drain plug washer with a built in O-ring. I'll try to find the part number. The Dorman version is shown on the link. The GM part number is 14090908 and comes in a bag with 5 gaskets.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=519168_0_0_

Unless the pan drain hole area is cracked or badly distorted, a new drain plug with a rubber coated washer should solve your leak problem. You can replace the pan if you want to, but not sure why that would be your first option.

Use one-piece 'blue' FelPro gasket and just a little Hi-Temp black RTV sealant [it must be RTV, not just silicone] in the bearing journal 'corners'.

Agree with the 2 bolts on idler arm.

:thumbs: