Advice on oil pan gasket- F-150

[snake]

Its no secret that you can't get the oil pan off of a F-150 (1994 2WD) 5.0 while the engine is installed in the truck because of clearance issues. I'm also aware some folks will jack up the engine, drop the pan a few inches, scrape the gasket and replace it to avoid pulling the engine completely out. I want to aviod this to keep gasket material out of the pan which could clog up the pickup screen.

My question is this- If I were to pull the transmission out, would that allow the pan to be removed toward the back of the vehicle without pulling the engine? I haven't even looked under there yet to see how the sump is formed which might answer my own question... I can have that transmission out in a couple of hours, the engine will take me probably at least double that amount of time.

Just wondering if anyone knew this before I tackle this job. Thanks in advance!

 

[predator]

ok, why not just jack up the motor a few inches? it is a lot easier than pulling the tranny, what are you concerned about dropping into the pan? when you take the pan out give it a good degreasing ( if it doesnt have rust holes and needing replacement) and use silicone to hold the cork gasket in place while you put the pan back on. there you are done and nothing fell in the pan and you didnt have to drop the tranny!!!

 

[Bow_Extreme]

I have changed 5 or 6 of those gaskets with no issues. I also took the engine mounts loose and pulled it up with a cherry picker. No you cant just pull the pan out by removing the tranny. You would never make it past the crossmember. The sump would also be in the way. You can get that thing up far enough to reach in and clean the pan out with no problem. Pull the plug and spray the pan out with brake cleaner or carb cleaner of some type. Than wipe it clean with rags. I would highly recommend a good fel-pro rubber gasket with sealant on around the rear main gasket area and sealant around the front main area. Those areas are prone to leak. I believe you will still have to remove the exhaust to get in there but it's been a while since I last changed one out. Good Luck, that job is a pain no matter how you look at it.

 

[projectnitemare]

If you were to pull the trans, it would be easier to pull the engine to be honest. I've changed a few pan gaskets by the method mentioned above, unbolt the engine mounts, use an engine hoist and drop the pan.

Matt

 

[snake]

Thanks for the replies. I guess there is more room between the pan and engine when it is jacked out of there a little than what I thought. I was thinking maybe two inches tops. I just wanted to make sure none of the old gasket fell into the pan, if I can slip my hand in there and clean it out I guess no problem, eh? I'll wait for the darn thing to need an oil change before I tackle this one.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Thanks for the replies. I guess there is more room between the pan and engine when it is jacked out of there a little than what I thought. I was thinking maybe two inches tops. I just wanted to make sure none of the old gasket fell into the pan, if I can slip my hand in there and clean it out I guess no problem, eh? I'll wait for the darn thing to need an oil change before I tackle this one.

Yeah, I'd just unbolt the motor and jack it up a couple inches. Usually that's all that's needed to clear the pan.

I just replaced the pan on my Ranger and I used this method; very easy to do!

 

[alaskan155]

its a rear sump pan, so just lift the engine a bit and u should beable to pull the pan out, atleast my donor 91 f150 looked like there was plenety of room.