Oil pan R&R in car
 

How do you remove and replace the front oil pan bolts while the engine is in the car? I ended up loosening the rear mounts and jacking up the motor. I still had to use a 1/4" drive to access them because the front crossmember is in the way. It was a real hassle. Any advice?

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I use a 1/4" drive socket with a universal joint, and turning the steering to the side might also help.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

Usually float-A-motor mounts contribute to the problem as the whole running gear can float forward.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

There's a problem? I pulled my pan just yesterday with no issues......

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

Bill: you didn't have a problem getting a socket around the front cross member? I'm wondering how they did it in the '30's. It also makes me wonder if my drivetrain is indeed shifted forward a bit.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I haven't found it to be a problem either. I just use a short 3/8 drive wobble socket. What gives me the hardest time is the little flywheel cover.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

Agree with Purdy.
Once we get the bolts out if there was an access issue sometimes it helps to grind a slot in the bolt head so that you can then use a screwdriver to get in there. Sounds like your motor is way forward

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I just had my pan off, and was able to get the bolts out using an open ended wrench. The lip on the front of the pan overlaps the front cross member slightly, so I had a tough time getting the pan back on as I had to tilt the front of the pan forward to clear the cross member, and then the oil pump was hard to get through the baffle in the pan. I have original motor mounts, so I don't know how the drive train would be forward.
I was able to tighten the front bolts after I had them started with a 1/4" drive and socket.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

Here's a picture showing the front motor mount boss in relation to the crossmember. Note that the repro splash pan is mighty close to touching the crossmember. Can anyone comment on how this looks versus a known 'good' one to see if the powerplant is indeed shifted forward?

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I just removed and replaced my oil pan,no problem with bolts,I turned the front wheels to the left,your going to have to figure out why that engine is so far forward.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

The crankshaft pulley looks like it is almost touching the front spring U bolts. The engine has got to be too far foward. If you are not using floating motor mounts, probably the only other possibility is frame sag at the rear motor mounts and this is also common.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I apologize for hijacking the post but I'm curious, what should the clearance between the pulley and front spring U-bolts generally be? (I had a tight fit putting a new fan belt on my truck when I installed my alternator.)
I haven't had the pan off with the engine installed but I'm thinking about dropping it to check my bearing clearances over the winter.

Thanks........Pete

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

1. You can check out Purdy's sagging frame thought by looking at the
brake cross shaft....is the torque tube laying on the shaft?

2. Could be the rear mounts are broken?

3. The bottom line is this....were the yoke bolts to the front cover...
that should be in a vertical line with the back of the front cross-
member! You're forward by at least 3/16" too 1/4"...a big deal!

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I know there is some frame sag, but there is lots of clearance between the brake cross shaft and torque tube. It's clear from this discussion that the motor is too far forward. Time for some more investigation. And BTW no float a motors here.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I just finished putting my Pan back on. I don't even use a wobble socket. My only clearance issues was clearing the steering are, until DUH, Like Tom said, turn your wheels all the way to the side. And Patrick L. I agree those little buggers fought me..........

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

Can you post a picture of your rear motor mounts?

I'm trying to picture what might make the engine be too far forward?:confused:

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I ust checked and Both of My A's have a little over 1 inch between the pulley and the u Bolts. The edge of the pan is just barely to the rear of the cross member. So the bolts are in the clear.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

Bill, that's the data that tells the story. I'll post pics tomorrow of the rear mounts and we'll see what's up.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

If 2 difficult bolts were your ONLY problem, you're living in HOG HEAVEN!
If I encountered one with really difficult access, I'd loosen the 4 big rear mount bolts, loosen the 2 upper front yoke bolts & pry back on the engine. While prying back, tighten the 4 rear bolts.
NO telling what has been slightly tweeked over the years & might not even be noticeable to the frail eyeballs. Think about how many cars might have been push started by Yo' Model A, or pushed 47 miles to home, after it quit, over in East Texas! OR, when it was used to push out small trees, or roped around the outhouse, to move it to a location, FURTHER AWAY frum the MAIN HOUSE???
Bill W.

Re: Oil pan R&R in car
 

I thought I would start by trying just that: loosen all the mount bolts and see if the motor can be shifted back.