Oil Pan Gasket Change - Prime Oil Pump?

[GT_Rich]

I'll be attempting this with the engine still in the car. All I'm doing is dropping the pan far enough to snake in a new gasket. In my searches on this board, I found a couple posts where jichker has copy and pasted his how-to, and he states its necessary to prime the oil pump after this job. I don't get it?! How is this any different than an oil change as far as the pump is concerned?

On a side note, my car went from dripping a drop of oil every night (which I didnt care about, and thought was the rear main), to leaving a 1 ft diameter puddle on my garage floor after changing the oil the day before. It hasn't been driven since October, but started 3 or 4 times to move it around the garage. I got under there and looked and the side of the gasket (pass side) is completely blown out! Amazing.

 

[BK_CAULEY]

ive swapped pans and didnt re prime the pump. the only reason for repriming is when the pump is removed and ALL oil is gone from the motor. i guess it depends on how long you have the pan off. most oil changes dont last long and the oil probably never has a chance to completly drain out of the motor. well thats my theory on it anyways.

 

[skunk21]

I have only heard of priming the pump after installing a new one. If you are just dropping the pan then it's really no more than just an oil change really. I have done pan gaskets on other motors and never primed the pump. make sure if you use a new filter to fill it with oil so you don't have a dry start. you could always bump the starter a few times before firing it to move some oil around but I'm sure you will be fine.

 

[GT_Rich]

Thank you for the replies fellas.

 

[irish]

Use a one piece gasket and some silicone in the corners and you wont have leaks anymore.

Matt

 

[GT_Rich]

FYI - I was successful in swapping gaskets with the engine still in the car. Here's some tips that will hopefully help someone else:
1. Summit part number FEL-OS34508R is definetly the one to buy. It's a one-piece gasket, with a steel core, and it comes with 4 plastic guides that hold the gasket, pan, and reinforcement in place. Those clips are like having two extra pairs of hands under there.
2. As far as what to remove/unhook and what not to, I unbolted by H-pipe, tranny mount, motor mounts, intake tube, removed fan (but left radiator and shroud in place), and I had to pull my distributor cap because it was going to hit my strut tower brace.
3. I jacked the motor up enough to put small 2x4's between the motor mount halves.
4. I did not prime the oil pump, but did bump the starter a few times prior to starting. When I did start it, oil pressure jumped up just as fast (if not faster) than when I do an oil change.
5. I did not remove the oil pump or take the pan out from under the engine.

Hopefully that helps someone.