Thread: chevy 235 oil pan removal

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Hello everyone, just found this web site, finally. Does anyone have any advice for removing the oil pan from a 54 corvette, (55 inline 6 motor)? Do I need to raise the motor or disconnect the steering linkage. Obviously, I am not a mechanic so any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Well, you probably need to hoist it up a few inches, the frame x member runs right underneath of it, making it impossible to drop out.

What book do you suggest? I looked at everything the local Barnes and Noble had and couldn't find anything. I've looked all over the internet and didn't find anything specific for a motor that old. Thanks.

Matt 167, thanks for your reply. Actually it is clear of the frame, but, the (tie rods, third arm?) are beneath it. Is there any trick to removing these?

Denny W, Thanks for the link. Looks like there's a lot of reading material to sift through. Thanks again.

First generation 'Vettes are the same engine and front end as a '54 Chevy, and I had to lift the engine 8" on my Bel Aire to get the pan off. Never disconnected any steering, though. The Third Arm requires shimming and is a pain to mess with, so leave it be if possible.

According to my 49 to 53 Chevy shop manual this is the procedure:

1. Remove bolts and lockwashers attaching steering idler and third arm and bracket assembly to frame front cross member and let assembly drop down. NOTE: Carefully note number of shims used between upper mounting bolt and cross member, so that same number may be installed when replacing assembly.
2. Drain oil and remove flywheel housing underpan, flywheel underpan extension and oil pan.

Install: Install oil pan using a new oil pan gasket. Tighten oil pan flange bolts to 6-71/2 ft. lbs and the oil pan corner bolts to 121/2 to 15 ft. lbs., refill with oil. Install flywheel underpan extension and flywheel housing underpan. Install steering idler and third arm and bracket assembly as per instructions in section 3 of the manual.

You put all three bolts in finger tight. Tighten two lower to 30 ft lbs, remove the upper bolt and check space between front suspension cross member and bracket at upper mounting hole. Maximum allowable space is .008 inch. Install uper bolt and tighten to 65 ft lbs, but a torque wrench won't fit so you have to guess at it.

That's why some will raise the engine rather than drop the third arm.

Dropped my pan two weeks ago so the oil is fresh on the manual. 1954 235 in a 52 chevy.