Cadillac Repair: oil pan gasket, oil pump housing, pan gasket

Question
need to replace oil pan gasket,is there an easier way of doing it than droping the engine?   1992 eldo.

Answer
Hi dscappa, Unless you have the northstar engine there isn't any reason to remove the engine to change the oil pan gasket. And if it is the northstar engine it really isn't a driveway job and would be best done by a shop on a hoist. With the 4.9L engine what I do is unbolt the exhaust pipe from the manifold in the front and then the pipe should hang low enough for the pan to clear. You may need to take a pry bar and bend the coolant tube closer to the frame in front. Then remove all the pan bolts and use a prybar or screwdriver to loosen up the gasket from the block. Sometimes the oil pump won't allow the pan to drop and you need to loosen the 2 pump bolts at least 1/2" and then pry down on the oil pump to gain clearance or you run the risk of cracking the oil pump housing and will then need to replace it. Once the pan is off then grind the pan flange near the center pan bolts so there is aprox. 1/4" between the bolt hole and the end of the oil pan. I did have a couple of times I had to remove the motor and trans mount nuts in the front and raise the engine to gain clearance. Hope that helps. Bill