Hello all...

I'm new to the group and thought this site would be great to help save money fixing stuff on my old 96' F-150 4X4. I used to a 2008 Diesel Lariat but the loss of a job in 2010 sent it by by...

My first issue I am trying to decide on having fixed or doing it myself; is replacing the oil dipstick tube, as well as replacing the oil pan gasket. I assume it must be a bear because a local shop wants to charge 580 bucks just to change the pan gasket.

Thanks all, lookin forward to talkin trucks...

 

Welcome. What engine do you have?

 

It has the 5.8 351

 

Hey, Welcome. Its fairly simple to replace the oil pan gasket. You'll have to drain the oil and drop the pan. Then its just a matter of replacing the gasket. Rock Auto has them from $20-$25. Or you can use Silicone based gasket maker, it comes in a tube and you apply it to the oil pan. It dries in place. I have a tube from Permatex that I haven't used yet, so I'm not sure how well it works. I've had the same problem with shops charging way more than the jobs worth. You can save a ton of money doing it yourself and its not that hard with the right tools. Hope this helps...

 

It looks to me more than just dropping the pan. Everything I have read so far talks about raising the engine due to the oil pump and tube reaching down into the pan. Unless I remove the exhaust and crossmember.

 

The oil pump won't effect changing out the gasket

 

Hmmm...what I was reading, said that you can not drop the oil pan down low enough to position the gasket so the oil pump will pass through the middle. Unless you use a two peice gasket. Besides, you can't get the pan down to clean the old gasket off..

 

That sounds right, but if you use the silicone gasket maker I think you could do it. It would be tight, but I think it'd be easier than hoisting the motor. It shouldn't be such a huge project to simply change the gasket. But with the way its set up, you may have no choice but to lift the motor...

 

Yeh, it looks like everyone has hoisted the motor. There was one dude who said he removed the Y-pipe, unbolted the the trany and lifted it up enough to put some wood between it and the crossmember and was able to slide the pan out...I just don't think I want to get into all that...What I need most is replacing the dipstick tube..but it is buried behind the damn exhaust manifold. I like my Ford trucks, but the freaking GM's are eaier to get to things. Looks like I will have to scrape up 600 bucks to get the oil pan gasket and dipstick tube replaced.. :-(

 

Welcome to fte. I used the silicone gasket maker

 

Thx deljac, so what did you do to drop the pan?

Thx in advance..

 

I simply drained the oil and dropped my pan. I used a one piece gasket from felpro and fished it around the oil pump pickup and bolted it back up. It was not a big problem and almost two years later, no leaks or problems.

 

Thx f1504x4driver...that is what I wanted to hear. So there was enough room for the pan to sit on the cross member and push the gasket down into the pan and fish it around the pick-up. That is all the encouragement I need, is that it can be done. So do you think all the others who are dropping crossmembers, exhaust, or jacking engines are doing it just so they can clean the pan and block surfaces really good? By the way, did you have any issues cleaning both surfaces without getting gunk down in the pan? Thanks a ton...

 

A lot of these pans have rust issues, I think rust repair, cleaning the block and oil pump pick up are the main reasons. I was lucky in that my gasket material came off and left the block and pan clean. I did wipe the surfaces with a lint free cloth and some alcohol to be sure. I also had my shopvac standing by. Once i had everything clean, i used the vac to clean the bottom of the pan just in case(Tight fit but it worked). I then poured a quart of oil in the pan and drained it for added insurance. On went the gasket and I was done.I must say it was easier than I planned but still a job.

 

Thx Thomas and everyone else who posted; I sure appreciate it. I will let you know how it goes when I decide to do it. Looks like Indiana is going to have a couple of warm days this weekend for December. Just by chance...has anyone ever tried to replace the "dipstick tube" in the same vehicle? I'm wondering if it is pressed fitted into the block, sealed with something that needs heated up, or both. It also looks like the exhaust manifold may need dropped on the drivers side to snake it down in there. Mine rusted through and broke about 6 inches up from the block. Thx in advance..