Dreaded M20 Oil pan swap - Quick question!

[ebox86]

you need an engine hoist, i just did mine in an hour and an half. Toughest part was getting the engine mounts to line back up when you lower it down.

[Beastolizer]

I did it in an hour OP. Comon man.

It's the whole jacking the car up thing that is really scaring me right now. Once I can get the clearance to remove that last oil pump bump, the pan will be off. However, I heard some weird noises and basically psyched myself out of raising the motor any higher. If only I just had a damn lift...one day!!

[Wschnitz]

I did it in an hour OP. Comon man.

[Beastolizer]

praying I'll be there for the picnic! not looking too good :/

[Beastolizer]

If the following info helps you get some extra confidence.....

I was able to get the pan out without touching the oil pump bolts. I used two jacks.
1 under the trans bell housing and other under the AC tensioner bracket.
The second jack under the trans helped greatly.
Facing the front of the car, i angled the pan to the right, than down and pulled it out.
I disconnected sway completely so that it does not obstruct in any way.

.....Give it a shot.

I do not have access to a second jack currently, and I do not have the extra coin to drop on a new one :/

[Blackout]

If the following info helps you get some extra confidence.....

I was able to get the pan out without touching the oil pump bolts. I used two jacks.
1 under the trans bell housing and other under the AC tensioner bracket.
The second jack under the trans helped greatly.
Facing the front of the car, i angled the pan to the right, than down and pulled it out.
I disconnected sway completely so that it does not obstruct in any way.

.....Give it a shot.

[Beastolizer]

If anyone is interested in helping me get the oil pan off (on practically the last part) this weekend, most likely saturday, I'm willing to pay and compensate with some food or beer!

[Beastolizer]

Do you have an engine support bar? I work with your brother (kinda) and if you need to borrow one you are welcome to borrow mine

Yeah I remember you mentioning that you worked at Boeing when you came and picked up my old 318iS! I'm assuming you're up in Everett as well, just in a different building perhaps? My dad is located up there also.

Anyway, I do not have one. He may have one himself and lives only a few miles way. I appreciate the offer though :)

[BraveUlysses]

Do you have an engine support bar? I work with your brother (kinda) and if you need to borrow one you are welcome to borrow mine

[Beastolizer]

Gave it a shot. Got the engine up an inch maybe inch and a half, but I didn't feel safe going any further. I can't get enough clearance to get that 3rd oil pump bolt out :/

[cabriodster87]

Use baby zip ties to hold gasket on pan then, snip one off, start a bolt there. Just the corners and a few down each side will suffice.

[Wschnitz]

After doing it once without removing the subframe ill be removing the subframe from now on. Its super hard to properly get the gasket on in my opinion.

[Beastolizer]

AC Bracket is your go to. If you don't have this done by next weekend, i'd be happy to lend a hand. Last time we did this was on Stephens' E30.

Alright, thanks man! Getting the pan off doesn't sound hard at all, I'm more worried about incorrectly installing the new pan/gasket.

[kid325e]

AC Bracket is your go to. If you don't have this done by next weekend, i'd be happy to lend a hand. Last time we did this was on Stephens' E30.

[Beastolizer]

Pretty sure because there are nuts on both sides so taking one off will allow it to lift plus lining one up is easier then both. When I did it a while back I don't remember taking both off. Just try it, I had to drop the oil pump in the pan to get it out.

I'll give it a shot. Jacking it up from the A/C bracket seems so sketchy with it being at a slight angle, not much surface area resting on the surface of the jack :???: