do i need to drop my oil before changing my timing chain? does the oil come up past the front cover and oil pan joint? or can i leave it in. any help you can give me would be apreciated. thanks

have a 1987 302 super cab with 458000 miles original engine and tranny.

 

I have a 92 351W (uses same block as 302) and I would be fairly certain yours is like mine in that there are two bolts on the oil pan on the front of the motor that screw up into the bottom of the timing cover that will need to be removed to get the timing cover off. I looked at a picture of an oil pan for your year and I can see those bolt holes. I have seen people do cam replacements without removing the motor so you will be able to reach those bolts w/o needing to remove the motor

 

yes i understand there are two bolts to be removed but what i was asking was do i need to actually drain the oil from the pan before dismantling. thanks for your reply.

 

No need to drain before you take it apart, but plan on an oil change after, as you are likely to drop some debris and antifreeze into the oil pan during the job.

That said, the cleaner you can get things, and the more draining etc you do before the timing cover comes off, the better.

 

^^Yes.

Even after draining your coolant, once you get the timing cover off, more coolant will run out of the block.........down into your oil pan. So get an oil change ready for when you are done.

 

if i go to replace the crankcase oil seal while i have the front cover off will the oil left in the pan come running out the whole.

 

I would suggest leaving at least half the oil in the pan during the work. If you get coolant in the pan it will sit below the oil and be flushed out with any debris when done.

 

No, the oil won't run out when you pull the cover off the front part of the pan.