Replacing a cracked M30 oil pan?

[george graves]

No, I didn't crack my pan - yet. Yes, I know I should by a skid plate.

Has anyone replaced their m30 pan with the motor in the car? How hard is it? I assume you have to separate the pan from the motor and get the motor off the sub frame a few inches? Then is there enough room to reach in there and undo the pump and then slide the pan out?

[E30SPDFRK]

The m30 pan sits really high compared to other pan heights, but if you do manage to crack one I'd say suspending the engine and dropping the subframe would be the easiest way. I know that I can't lift my engine any higher than it is now unless I unbolt the transmision support and raise the engine at an angle.

[george graves]

Sounds right. And the pump it'self it attached to a front main bearing isn't it?

(I'm just thinking of down the road - I'd like to keep a oil pan and gasket on hand. Nothing worse than getting bent over on a oil pan price cause you needed one yesterday.)

[E30SPDFRK]

The pump is just 4 bolts and the gear iirc. You should be able to undo the nut that holds on the gear and pull the pump out fine.

[yert315]

You can do it with the engine in the car. It is a major PITA.

I removed it when I rebuilt my oil pump. You'll have to:
-unbolt the trans and motor mounts
-jack it up as far as it will go
-ghetto rig something to support it (an engine hoist would work well here)
-then unbolt the subframe and pull it down as far as it'll go

*Tip for getting the oil pan gasket on - zip tie it to the pan through a few holes to keep it from being a little bitch and slipping. Loosely bolt the oil pan up, then cut the zip ties and button her up.

also, you don't need to remove the pump to remove the pan