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  • March 29, 2024, 04:00:12 AM

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Author Topic: In-the-car oil pan removal  (Read 2498 times)

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Offline AMC of Houston

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In-the-car oil pan removal
« on: April 03, 2020, 05:57:18 PM »
I'm getting ready to drop the oil pan (258 - already have the front diff out of the way), and was wondering if the engine has to be raised, or the cross member dropped; or both.

I got a good laugh out of the MR-251 shop manual, which implies that the pan just falls out once its unbolted.

Thanks in advance for any replies!
George G.
'81 Eagle Sundancer
'85 Eagle Waggie
1960 1902 Rambler Replica
'64 American
'70 AMX (Big Bad Blue), '70 AMX (White)
'77 Gremlin
'78 Pacer Coupe, '78 Pacer Wagon
'79 Pacer Wagon
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Online Still Pat

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Re: In-the-car oil pan removal
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2020, 07:24:57 PM »
From what I recall reading (NOT trustworthy info. - my memory gets a perverted sense of pleasure from lying to me.), you will have to raise the engine slightly to get clearance.
'83 AMC Eagle wagon 258/auto.
'84 AMC Eagle sedan (4 door) 258/auto.
PREVIOUS AMCs:
'72 Gremlin X 304/3 speed
'81 Eagle Kammback 258/4 speed (Purchased new)
'82 Eagle wagon 258/5 speed (Ordered new, traded Kammback)
'86 (I THINK) Eagle wagon - BlackBird 258/auto. (Got hit/totaled)
'83 Eagle wagon - White Eagle 258-auto. (Front subframe was rotted out - sold for parts)

Offline djm3452004

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Re: In-the-car oil pan removal
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2020, 08:22:11 PM »
I'm getting ready to drop the oil pan (258 - already have the front diff out of the way), and was wondering if the engine has to be raised, or the cross member dropped; or both.

I got a good laugh out of the MR-251 shop manual, which implies that the pan just falls out once its unbolted.

Thanks in advance for any replies!




You will definitely have to raise the front of the engine.  There is just a hair less than 1" between the bottom of the pan and the crossmember. 

I had my engine out again two weeks ago and redid the pan seal while the engine was out.  I highly recommend the one-piece Fel-Pro P/N OS34308R gasket.  The kit for it has the threaded "snap-ups" that hold the gasket and pan up in place at the corners while one starts the pan bolts.

Good luck with the job --

David
Current Project: 1983 Eagle Wagon 258
Past AMC Project(s):  1979 Spirit Liftback 232
                                1968 Ambassador 287

Offline AMC of Houston

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Re: In-the-car oil pan removal
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2020, 02:25:04 PM »
Well, I actually did both.  Hoisted up the engine about an inch until things started getting in a bind (changing the motor mounts anyway).  That wasn't enough.  Lowered the cross member - that was actually an easy job since my car isn't rusty.  I bet trying to get those 4 cross member nuts and bolts off of a ruster would be a disaster.   Yeah; I am using that nice 1-piece pan gasket.

Doing the timing chain too - so loose it was rattling against the cover!

Stay well, y'all.
George G.
'81 Eagle Sundancer
'85 Eagle Waggie
1960 1902 Rambler Replica
'64 American
'70 AMX (Big Bad Blue), '70 AMX (White)
'77 Gremlin
'78 Pacer Coupe, '78 Pacer Wagon
'79 Pacer Wagon
'73 Jensen Interceptor
'86 Audi 5000 Turbo
'98 Aston Martin DB7
'09 Nissan Titan
'10 Nissan Maxima

Offline rmick

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Re: In-the-car oil pan removal
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2020, 11:25:07 PM »
I have done this several times on many AMC'S to change the rear main seal. Support the engine from above and drop the cross member.  Also consider installing a high volume oil pump while there. Will need to swap over the pick up tube to the pump for the eagle pan. Search for Jeep 258 high volume oil pump. Several people sell them.
72 Javelin AMX
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Offline AMC of Houston

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Re: In-the-car oil pan removal
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2020, 12:42:34 AM »
Yep; doing the pump while I'm in there too.  And a water pump, thermostat, new balancer, a couple of CV boots, a rear pinion seal, and all front diff seals.   Car won't know what hit it!
George G.
'81 Eagle Sundancer
'85 Eagle Waggie
1960 1902 Rambler Replica
'64 American
'70 AMX (Big Bad Blue), '70 AMX (White)
'77 Gremlin
'78 Pacer Coupe, '78 Pacer Wagon
'79 Pacer Wagon
'73 Jensen Interceptor
'86 Audi 5000 Turbo
'98 Aston Martin DB7
'09 Nissan Titan
'10 Nissan Maxima

 

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