4.0 OHV oil pan gasket

[vbrad511]

Hey all, Looks like I'm going to have to replace the oil pan gasket on my '97, 4.0, 4wd. It's got the TTB front setup. Will the motor have to come out, and can I just raise enough to gain clearance? Anything else I should be aware/concerned about along the way?

 

[Shran]

Transmission will need to come out, or the engine. The pan is bolted to the transmission and there’s just not enough room to remove it with the trans in place.

 

[gaz]

@vbrad511 ,
While my OHV 4.0l oil pan is not bolted to the transmission, I have only successfully removed the oil pan, after pulling the engine.

 

[James Morse]

Is there an 'upper' and 'lower' pan? I was told lower pan you can get out, upper, well, just live with the oil leaks, adding some oil now and then is a lot cheaper/easier than the work.
Of course if it's horrible and you -have- to do it, then just accept it'll be a big job.
To me if it's just a drip here and there why bother, and same goes for main seal. Or wait until something horrible happens where you have to pull the engine then do everything.
Open to correction / argument.....

 

[sgtsandman]

Is there an 'upper' and 'lower' pan? I was told lower pan you can get out, upper, well, just live with the oil leaks, adding some oil now and then is a lot cheaper/easier than the work.
Of course if it's horrible and you -have- to do it, then just accept it'll be a big job.
To me if it's just a drip here and there why bother, and same goes for main seal. Or wait until something horrible happens where you have to pull the engine then do everything.
Open to correction / argument.....

I believe, but may be wrong, that only the 4.0 SOHC engine has an upper lower pan. It is my impression that the 4.0 OHV has a single piece pan.

 

[gaz]

@James Morse , @vbrad511
The OHV 4.0l uses a one piece oil pan; however, it is not impossible to find a 2 piece oil pan from a SOHC 4.0l installed on an OHV 4.0l. My OHV 4.0l has a SOHC 4.0l two piece oil pan.

The reason to consider using a 2 piece SOHC 4.0l oil pan with an OHV 4.0l is the added strength afforded from the girdle built into the upper pan. The Ford engineers found it beneficial if not necessary when they developed over 200hp in their SOHC version of the Colonge 4.0.

 

[James Morse]

OK. I"ll have to take a good look at it. My shop guy who I mostly trust said 2-part. That's interesting.

 

[vbrad511]

Is there an 'upper' and 'lower' pan? I was told lower pan you can get out, upper, well, just live with the oil leaks, adding some oil now and then is a lot cheaper/easier than the work.
Of course if it's horrible and you -have- to do it, then just accept it'll be a big job.
To me if it's just a drip here and there why bother, and same goes for main seal. Or wait until something horrible happens where you have to pull the engine then do everything.
Open to correction / argument.....

This is my work truck. Most of the time I'm on commercial or industrial sites, but every now and then I get a residential project, and can't leave oil spots on somebody's driveway. I can carry cardboard, but that looks tacky and unprofessional. I'd rather fix the leak.

 

[James Morse]

Ah. That is a good reason!!