In-the-car oil pan removal

[AMC of Houston]

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!

[Still Pat]

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.

[djm3452004]

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

[AMC of Houston]

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.

[rmick]

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.

[AMC of Houston]

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!