think it depends on time and money. If you have sufficient quantities of those, I'd say, 'go ahead'. Rebuilt the whole oil pan and oil system. And a nice fresh gasket put on correctly should cure the leaking problems. While you have it pulled apart change out everything you can, right? Mightaswells.
Mary
I'll start with the question: On a G-body El Camino like my '80, how hard is it to remove the oil pan? I have an engine hoist. (I know my '80 is technically an A-body, maybe I should say "metric chassis".) The back story: I started an oil change and am considering replacing the 8 quart pan on the 406 with a stock type pan (and pickup). Why? The 8 quart pan leaks in the front, and leaks at the rear but I don't know if that leak is the pan or the rear main seal. (Also I'll need a stock type pan if/when I add a single turbo). These leaks are not new, they've been there since I built the engine. Can a small block Chevy be leak free? When I built the engine I used a Melling Select oil pump; the 406 has great pressure at startup and at any RPM over idle (as high as 80 PSI!). At hot idle the gauge shows 10 PSI or less, which is unnerving - but I've just read that the "C" series of these pumps have anti-cavitation grooves which causes a low oil pressure at idle. The problem is I can't find the receipt to remind me which pump I bought (frustrating since I save receipts). I know it was a Melling Select pump and the corresponding bolt-on pickup. Some say the pressure is fine as long as there is oil pressure... part of the problem is the EFI is calibrated rich which is putting fuel in the oil, thinning it. I'm considering swapping the oil pump while I'm in there. Items I would need to disconnect before lifting the engine to get the pan out: Distributor Cap Exhaust Engine Mounts Fuel line Other items? If I can swap the pan without draining the coolant and disconnecting the transmission I'll do it... Input? Suggestions? Thanks, Chris Rules: Please play nicely with others. -List members page (text& pic links): http://www.myelcamino.net/eclist.htm -List members page (all pics): http://www.myelcamino.net/ec_list.htm
Rules: Please play nicely with others. -List members page (text & pic links): http://www.myelcamino.net/eclist.htm -List members page (all pics): http://www.myelcamino.net/ec_list.htm
