Probably a dumb question, but I was looking at my oil pan and would like to remove it to clean it out. Do I need to raise the engine at all or what? The pan looks like it is right on like a crossmember. Didn't know if I could just slide it out or if something needs to be removed or raised or whatnot. Oh it's on a 56 customline 272. Thanks.

You will have to jack the engine up to get the pan off.

No,you don't need to raise the engine to remove the pan.Turn the engine until number one cylinder is at top dead center,remove the nut on the pipe at the oil pump,remove all the pan bolts and slide the pan forward.Oh.and don't forget to pull the dipstick.I've removed dozens of them this way.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

PWH42, I've only done 2 oil pans and that was 30 years ago, wish I had known that trick then...Lou

Yeah Lou,I know just what you mean.I did a lot things the hard way 40 or 50 years ago.And looking at the pan on a 55/56,it does look as if you'd need to raise the engine to remove the pan.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

As Paul said, It can be wiggle and jiggle. Don't twist the pan. Straighten it when off. Clean pan and screen, try not to get it on your hands like I do its all very toxic. . Get a felpro bottom end gasket kit from Macs its like $11.50 and you will get the big o ring gasket for the oil pump too. Don't over tighten that jamb nut. Clean everything and use contact cement to glue the cork gasket to the pan so it doesn't move around. You can use something like pematex no# 3 non hardening around the front and back of the gasket where it meets the timing cover etc



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Awesome. See, I figured someone out there knew a trick. I wouldn't think Ford would make you raise the engine just to take an oil pan off. Thanks again.

I just R&R my oil pan and I followed the shop manual recommendations. They suggested to have cylinder number 5 at TDC. Also you will need to remove the front sway bar. Also if you have power steering I removed the slave cylinder and let it hang. What appears to be studs at the very front (in the timing cover) are actually the ends of bolts that are part of what fastens the steady rest to the front of the motor. Hopefully you can get the pan past them on the way out. If not you have to remove the harmonic dampener to get at the bolts. Good luck!

Jeff Petersen