Expert: Brad Sears - 1/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1969 Mercury Cougar 351W and trouble removing the oil pan. All the bolts are removed, and the stabilizer arm is out of the way. I've rotated the crank, but something is still in the way. My manual indicates two oil inlet tube bolts, one to be removed, the other loosened to position the tube out of the way, but I can't seem to locate these.

ANSWER: To access the two bolts in question you need to look in between the engine block and the oil pan when the pan is hanging down. A small flashlight works well here. the bolts hold the pick up tube to the side of the oil pump. A little clue is that the oil pump is right below the distributor as the distributor drives the oil pump. I have also found that on some old cars that the motor mounts have settled from age and that the mounts needed to be disconnected from the frame and the engine jacked up a bit. If you need to do this put the oil [an back on with 4 to 6 bolts. The place a block, a 12 inch long piece of 2"X6" between a jack and the oil pan. After the mounts are disconnected jack the engine an inch or two and place between the mounts and the frame, then remove the jack. You should now have enough room to remove the pan.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!( a friend had suggested lifting the engine via the motor mounts, but I was trying to avoid that if possible). There was an earlier post I read on another vehicle where it was suggested not to use much, if any, gasket sealer on the new oil pan gasket, to avoid getting sealer inside the pan. Would you agree with this? I want to be sure a good seal is made. Thanks again, Scott

Answer
I am not a fan of gasket sealer. I use a product called Dry Tack with is like a contact cement to hold the gasket in place during assembly. I do use a straight edge and make sure that the oil pan flanges have not been distorted by some one over tightening the pan bolts. I straighten the pan if needed and use a torque wrench to tighten the pan bolts. 10 pound feet or 120 inch pounds is plenty of torque to hold the pan on and will not distort the pan.