GMC Repair: timing chain 1996 4.3l, giving me a hard time, rear portion

Question
i have a 1996 chev. 1\2 ton with a 4.3L v6  & auto trans. it has 180,000 miles and no trouble until now. the water pump started leaking so i figured since it has so many miles and i was going this far go ahead and change the timing chain. Well it came apart real easy!!! the timing cover is giving me a hard time going back on. the oilpan will not come off, i have removed all of the bolts on the bottom of the pan, and removed the starter i have also removed the bolts on the bell housing of the trans that go into the oilpan and it still wont come loose. i have pryed on the oilpan and broke the seal but it acts like a bolt is holding it. do i have to remove the trans to take the oilpan off?

Answer
Hi Terry,

No the transmission remains in place,there are 5 bolts on each side of the pan and 2 in the rear near the trans,if it broke loose from the the engine then you will need to move it to clear the oil pump pickup tube locateded in the rear sump,try to lower the rear portion of the pan first,also if its is 4 wheel drive the ft diff needs to be removed,if its 2 wheel drive,you may have to disconnect the ft engine mounts and raise the motor a bit to gain clearance from the ft crossmember.


ED