Oil Pan Removal

[JimB]

Someone please help!!

I'm trying to get the oil pan off my 83 CJ...
So far I have:
Removed the starter
Removed the sway bar
All screws have been removed from the pan
It looks like the pan will not come out due to the right side motor mount, does this need to come out? If so, what is the best way to do it?

Sure didn't expect it to be this hard...I'm just trying to change the RMS!

Any feedback is appreciated! Thanks

 

[Torxhead]

You might have a bad motor mount. I check for a bad mount by making sure the engine has not been pushed back. Indicators would be little clearance between the back of the valve cover and the firewall and the clutch bellcrank should be perpendicular to the frame. If you have to replace them they are available with rubber or poly, there is also the almost solid mounts made by M.O.R.E. Don't forget the tranny mount.

 

[PaRenegade]

Yes, you have to remove the frame crossmember (the round bar between the mounts) and loosen the one engine mount (IIRC it's the driv. side) and jack that side of the engine up a little to get the pan out. And iirc it doesn't need to come up much so the bolts can stay in the holes so realignment isn't an issue upon reassembly.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Yes on R&R the motor mount.
LG

 

[Jimmyb]

So what side motor mount to remove? Looks like a pain to remove, can it just be loosened? drivers side or passenger....sorry for the ignorant questions, just trying to learn and save time..
Thanks for the help....

 

[jpeck71]

When I removed mine it was the passenger side that had to come off. I used a 2x4 and a ratchet strap above the engine to hold it up while the mount/oil pan was off. I cut a notch in the 2x4 so it would sit on the back of the engine compartment above the engine without slipping off and the other end rested on the radiator. Then hooked the ratchet strap to a hole on the passenger side and tightened it up. When the motor mount came off and the weight of the engine hit the strap it made me jump a bit. As far as can it just be loosened, I'm not sure. I took mine completely off. 3? bolts into the engine block and one holding it to the frame.

Then you can get the oil pan off. I think there is a bolt right there at the mount that you will have to remove if you haven't already. I don't think I could get to it with a wrench and that's why you have to remove the mount.

Then you can make your way to the main seal. Good luck with that. Mine hadn't been changed in many years and the upper half was stuck in pretty good. Took a lot of effort to get it to come out.