Im getting the engine tore down on my bird and im at the point of doing the oil pan gasket. I have seen several posts saying the engine must be pulled to replace it...can I just undo the motor mounts and raise in up a bit to get to it or does it have to be all the way out.
Here are the steps for the removal of the oil pan given by the 1981 TSM. They don't have you remove the engine, but it may be just as easy to pull to engine for replacement. Not sure if partially raising the engine would work.
Quote(1) Drain engine oil.
(2) Lock steering wheel.
(3) Remove air cleaner.
(4) Support engine with holding fixture as illustrated
in figure 1B-46.
(5) Raise automobile and support at side sills.
(6) Mark for assembly reference and disconnect
front drive shaft.
(7) Remove bolts at engine cushions.
(8) Remove bolts from sill-to-crossmember brace
bar at crossmember, and rotate bar out of way.
(9) Loosen pitman arm at gear.
(10) Loosen idler arm at steering linkage.
(11) Remove bolt from steering damper at
crossmember.
(12) Loosen sway bar bolts and lower sway bar.
(13) Support axle assembly with jack.
(14) Disconnect half shafts from axle. Compress half
shafts inward (toward wheels) and secure in compressed
position with wire attached to frame sills.
(15) Remove bolt from right bracket at axle tube bolt
bars.
(16) Remove bolts from left upper axle bracket at
upper end.
(17) Remove bolts from pinion end bracket at pinion.
(18) Remove vent hose and remove axle assembly.
(19) Support crossmembers with jack.
(20) Remove crossmember nuts and bolts.
(21) Lower .crossmember assembly for pan
clearance.
(22) Remove starter motor.
(23) Remove torque converter inspection shield.
(24) Remove oil pan screws.
(25) Remove oil pan by sliding it rearward.
Sweet! Thanks for that list Draekon!! On the bright side half the work is already done as I have the tranny, the driveshafts, and the intake and exhaust manifolds removed at this point....I'm sure glad I didn't put off the oil pan gasket till after the car was back together....I would have had a good post for the "don't do this" section...LOL