Well, when I went to do my clutch and flywheel in my 86 f150 4x4 300 cid np435 I decided to do a couple of things " while I'm in there ", as it were.

Did the rear main and oil pan gasket. I figured since I had the transmission out the oil pan gasket would be easier. Well, turns out it wasn't much easier although I had a bit more room.

I learned about the 4 piece gasket and how I'll need to either do some grinding or just replace the pan with an efi version to get a one piece.

I'm leaning towards simply buying a new pan unless anyone could convince me that Id be better off grinding the ridges off of my current pan, something that just doesn't sound comforting to me.

I've read that you have to hoist the engine out and I've also read that it isn't necessary. I know my drivers side mount is thrashed so I'll get one of those but I've only got 91k on the odometer so I'm wondering if it'll be best to do the pump also " while I'm in there " (that's an expensive phrase, isn't it?).

If you guys could help me decide and point me to a detailed thread on this topic I'd greatly appreciate it, as I know this subject has been covered thoroughly.

Thanks everyone.

P.s - clutch and flywheel ended up working great. Many thanks to those on here that assisted with experienced information. I'm relatively new to the shade tree mechanic life and without this site I'd have had a much more difficult time. Thanks again.

 

Like a lot of guys here, I feel (felt?) your pain.

I searched and asked and was confident that enough guys had faced this task to know what they were talking about.

Fel Pro #OS 34601R includes the Snap-Ups, and will change your entire outlook on life; it makes that much of a difference.

I didn't hoist the engine, just jacked it up a bit. (**EDIT**) I also ground off the ridges/lips on the pan using a cheap non-Dremel; it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.

A thorough step-by-step can be found on my build/resto thread, pages 46 and following:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...roject-46.html

 

I'm probably the only person to have better luck with the four piece gaskets than the one piece. Here's a tip I learned on the Jeep forum only after I tackled that straight six one that was a pain since it didn't have snap-ups with it.....

Since you typically need black RTV in the front and rear corners even with a one piece seal, dab the RTV in and then use some of the oil pan bolts to bolt the gasket to the block by itself (the gasket has metal inserts in the pan bolt holes). Come back the next day after the RTV has cured, take to bolts out, and install the pan.

 

I used this step-by-step as my guide when I tackled the oil pan job myself last year, and can vouch for its goodness.

I also did my oil pump "while I was in there", and have had no reason to regret doing so. I bought a new pan rather than dealing with grinding the ridges on the old one down.

 

'Preciate the props, brother. I remember how many times I changed latex surgical gloves so I could pick up my camera and do that full step-by-step.

 

That's your own fault for not borrowing the wife's camera phone.

 

Not sure what you are trying to achieve? The one piece seals better than the 4 piece? Or easier to do in the truck so you don't have to pull the pan completely out? If it's the second reason I would caution you, go ahead and jack the engine up and pull the pan completely out. What ever gasket you use requires a good clean surface to seal, and it's too easy for dirt and pieces of old gasket to fall into the oil pan if you don't take it out. We have had several people on here do it that way and have ended up with no oil pressure.

 

I actually spewed coffee onto my monitor.