So I need to replace the oil pan gasket on a 5.0, and everything I've read says I must raise the engine. I can see why with a one piece gasket, but with the 4 piece gasket i don't see why I'd have to. I've never changed a pan gasket so it'll be interesting

 

I would get the one piece gasket over the 4 piece gasket all day long. the 4 piece gasket is a PITA..

 

i have replaced the oil pan gasket on my diesel but the cheapest gasket was $40. I ended up using form a gasket or a similar product. Its been holding great so far and your could use it without lifting the engine. Just drop the pan and clean the surfaces real good so its bare metal. I know AutoZone has tubes of it.

 

Not too bad of a job. Use a one piece gasket. Drain oil, Remove pan bolts, lower pan, cut and clean off old gasket. Tie a piece of wire onto each end and each side of gasket. Fish gasket down in pan and around counterweights and oil pump pickup and up on pan rails. Cut off wire and install pan rails and bolts.

 

If you use the 4 piece gasket set, be ready to do it twice.........or more.
Use the one piece Fel-Pro or Motorcraft, you wont have to hit yourself later.

 

I'll have to do that then, get the one piece that is. Will a wire coat hanger work?

 

I would get some mechanics wire. Something a little more flexable than a coat hanger. I used .032 saftey wire.

 

I've got almost all the bolts except one on a
The passeneger side and two on the driver side. I can't seem to get a wrench in where these bolts are above the cross member. I'm trying to avoid lifting the engine

 

What am I doing wrong here. Am I supposed to remove this transmission crossmember? With the oil pump installed I cannot fit the pan back in. I've already got the intake removed but I still can't raise it high enough. By the Chilton manual it seems like I should be able to fit this pan back in easy.

 

I believe the best way is to drop the pump put the pan back in and then bolt the pump and bracket before actually putting the pan bolts in.