oil leaks, getting them under control

[j-wigg]

i've got a few 20 yr old gaskets that are starting to show signs of age. head, oil pan, rear main seal, and timing cover or front main seal. the head gasket will wait for the gt40p install. the rear main seal is just a long process of taking the drivetrain out. but that oil pan is one that i'm concerned about. i've heard and been told that the engine would have to get lifted for the oil pan to come out. and i see a few reasons why. 1 would be the bellhousing, but lets say thats out of the car (to replace the rear main seal. 2 would be the steering gear shaft. let say the steering shaft was out also,

q. would the oil pan be able to slide toward the rear of the car and out if the steering gear shaft and bellhousing was out of the car?
would the oil pump interfere.

reason i'm asking is because i havent yet lifted an engine and would rather not because of lack of inexperience. the drivetrain is no problem for me. been through that a dozen times down to the crackshaft.

anyone know if this can be done??

 

[ID89GT]

If it were me I would just pull the engine and replace all the gaskets on an engine stand, would be a lot easier and faster, and you could clean up the block some to get all the oil off. The engine really ain't hard to pull, just pick up a Hanes book and it will give you a step by step procedure on what needs to be done to get it out.

 

[d.r.moss]

If your going to have your drivetrain out, pull the motor. I needed to change gastkets and thought the same way you did. I ended up pulling the motor. It gave me a chance to clean up the engine compartment and the top of the k-member also. I wish I would have replaced the motor mounts and tranny mount will I had it apart though. They are 20 years old too, just something to think about.

 

[j-wigg]

i would love to pull the motor. really would. it would be nice to be able to get it out and really clean up the engine bay. that would make a world of a difference. honestly if i am ever going to pull the motor, hopefully its to put a new/rebuilt motor in. i was just looking at the cost for the engine lifts and thats one main reason why thats out of my range right now. i havent found one for under 500. if anyone knows of a place that has them cheaper please let me know. also i dont have a garage. i'm live in a condo. have to go to my familys house to do work and for me to take an engine out there, lol, they would probably be in my ear the entire time. but if i can convince that it would only be a few day thing, i'm sure it wouldnt be a problem. but knowing me if i get that thing out, the bay would end up getting painted (add another couple days). i need a garage.

 

[d.r.moss]

Yeah, I hear ya, so your not really in the position to pull the motor. But just FYI, I got a cherry picker for $150 brand new and it works great. Had it for 7 years now, no problems. Look around, you'll find a deal.

 

[j-wigg]

found some lifts on craigslist for 100 - 150. not bad.