Another Oil Pan issue

Unlike 99MBSPORT issue in his thread , my oil pan is rusting through. The oil is actually weeping through the pan. (I just replaced the rear diff cover for the same issue).
Anyway, what is the best way to approach this.

I was thinking about removing the front diff which should get me access to the pan.

Someone mentioned raising the engine 2 inches but I'm not sure it would clear my front differential.

Anyone replaced theirs?

Ray
99 ranger xlt
4WD
3.0 L FF

hello,if you have a hoist available thats the way i'd go

hello,if you have a hoist available thats the way i'd go

+1

Pete

hello,if you have a hoist available thats the way i'd go

Well, I lifted the engine as far as I dare and I still didn't have enough room to get it out. I ended up cutting it out.
Two things keep it from coming out.
1) the oil pump is so close to the rear of the pan that you have to drop it straight down and the lip catches on the tranny,
2) The front drive shaft is in the way and prevents the front of the pan from dropping straight down, thereby allowing you to get by the oil pump in the rear.

I am going to try to lower the front differential to get some more clearance when I install the new pan. If that doesn't work then I may either cut the interfering hump out of the new one and weld in a flat piece or dent it so it clears the shaft unless someone has a better idea.

Ok, lowering the front differential combined with raising the engine worked. It gave me enough clearance to fit the pan it. It would be better if I could have disconnected the driveshaft but the bolts are too rusted and I don;t want to chance breaking one. The limiting factor was where the shaft comes out of the transfer case.

Now I have to get the pan on and put it all together. I hope it doesn't leak!

good to hear hard work is done.using a silicone always makes a great seal.good luck

good to hear hard work is done.using a silicone always makes a great seal.good luck

Thanks, this was one PIA project. All the bolts were either rusted (I live in upstate NY) or a mutha to get to! Thank goodness for air tools!

It is a one piece rubber(?) gasket. I put silcone in the usual places; the 4 corners where the curved part of the pan meets the front and rear seal and the transition where the timing cover meets the block. I started it up and ran her.........no leaks.