Replacing Oil Pan with Engine in Car
 

I want to change my oil pan with a new one in my 65 GTO. I don't really want to pull the engine to do this. Has anyone changed the pan with the engine in the car? I am thinking I would have to pull my 4 speed and clutch, flywheel etc. and lift the engine a bit. Does anybody have any advice or tips about doing this?

Lift more than a bit.Tom

Take the engine out.

You'll be glad you did it that way, trust me.

I’ve heard a few people say they did it without pulling the engine, but I’ve never heard anyone say they’d do it again.

Pull it out. It's probably actually quicker.

And easier to make sure the gaskets are in place as they should be when you tighten every thing up. I say gaskets as there is a one piece gasket and another with 3 pieces to it. The 3 piece gasket set can be a PITA to get it set properly.

Looks like its unanimous; pull the engine. I just put this engine in last year, but the pan developed a couple of pinhole leaks afterwards and I wanted to change it out. I have the one piece BOP gasket. Thanks for the replys.

This. ^^^^. That pesky, unseen, low-hanging oil pump pickup will put sticks in your spokes every time. Pulling the engine is faster, easier, much cleaner, and you will end up with a quality job instead of a sloppy one.

I have seen it done on 64 GTOs with modified front cross-members.

The factory had a special Kent Moore tool that mounted on the timing cover ears. (It was 12" tall or so) that you could use with a lift and tilt the front of the engine barely enough to get the pan off. ROYAL PIA but possible.
Distributor had to come out so you did not break it against the firewall.

I have pulled many engines in less than two hours by myself. On a engine stand is SO MUCH EASIER to work on the engine as everyone has posted.

Tom V.

Tom, I have that exact tool. I won it from my old boss who told me I could have it if I could identify it. He worked at a Pontiac dealer from about '69 to '78. I use it for display purposes only, as I have been there and done that and have won the gasket particles in my eyes and the oil leaks!!

I have a childhood memory from 1967 (was born in 1957 so about ten years old) of my Dad’s mechanic friend overhauling the 389 in our 1960 Safari wagon while the engine was in the car. He did rings, bearings and a new timing chain laying on his back in our single car garage in the Southside of Chicago during the winter months. I distinctly remember that he had on a grimy blue jumpsuit as he was laying in the sawdust/oil dry spread all over the floor under the engine bay. That had to be a difficult job but the car ran beautifully after the overhaul
We drove it out West that year on vacation to Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, etc towing a camper and guzzling premium fuel. White Safari wagon with a tri-colored blue interior

Cool! You are the only other guy I know of who has used that Kent-Moore Tool.

Tom V.

Any chance you can post a picture of the tool?

AGREE, IT MIGHT HELP OTHERS IDENTIFY AN IDENTICAL TOOL AT SOME POINT IN THEIR TOOL COLLECTION HUNTS.

Tom V.

I have changed oil pan with motor in car. Its not easy but it can be done. Today I would pull motor without a doubt

I'll try to get a pic of the tool and post it. It has a part number on it and it's pretty massive.

OK....here's a shot. It's aluminum. Kent-Moore.