Oil Pan removal

[JerzyIroc]

Is it possible to remove the oil pan while the motor is still in the car? Its an 83 camaro. stock oil pan. it looks as if i remove the ypipe i can take the oil pan off. can i?

[Tru2Chevy]

Not without raising the motor up a few inches.

There isn't enough space between the crank and the k member to lower the pan and slide it back.

- Justin

[Pro90rscam]

It looks like it will come out easily,but that is not the case because you have to raise the motor up a few inches to get the pan off. I have done this a couple of times now and it sucks! Reason I did it twice was my aluminum pan cracked and then my Moroso pan hit a bad patch job in the road and smashed the corner and it started to leak. I am on my 3rd pan and it has been fine.
Good luck!

[ZeroCool8891]

HAHA actully i just did it tonight to replace my oil pan gasket, such a bitch.

[deadtrend1]

Why you dropping the pan btw? Replacing the gasket?

-Pull out the distributor (after marking where it pointed to) so it doesn't hit the firewall when you jack the motor up.
-Seperate the airbox from the throttle body. (i just noticed that you said 83 so this may not apply)
-Unbolt the y-pipe and remove it. Might be a good idea to soak the bolts in some pb blaster or something.
-Pull out the long motor mount bolts
-Its easier to use a engine hoist so the jack isnt in the way under the trans when you try and pull the pan out. I know I had the problem on my LT1 pulling my pan, but cant remember from doing it on my 86.
-unclip the tranny lines if its an auto.
-pull off the trans inspection cover.
-you will need to use a combo of swivels and different length extensions on the pan bolts.
-the pan should be able to be pulled out. Rotating the motor might make it easier but then you will have to find TDC again when you put the dizzy back in.
-dont forget to put the pan braces back on when you put the pan back up
-could do motor mounts now that its raised up a little.

If i forgot anything .. .sorry.