How much headache is it to replace the oil pan gasket?

[Robroy]

When I jack up the front end of my car, oil starts dripping from the cover under converter, the oil being brown means engine oil.
Took that cover of yesterday and it seems like it comes from the half-moon shaped rubber sealing (see the black drop on the pict).
The leak seems to stop after a while the car has been jacked up.

It’s not that big leak and I guess I could live with it, maybe just by not filling up oil to the absolute max level. On the other hand I’m going over to half-synthetic oil which is slightly thinner… :confused4:
Just out of curiosity, how much headache is it to replace the oil pan gasket on a Centurion/LeSabre with a 455? Has anyone on this board done it with the engine in the car? :user:
The exhaust would have to be released and the engine lifted a bit to get the oil pan to pass the oil pickup for sure…:p

[Robroy]

The answer to this threads question can be found in the Green Machine II thread, post 110
http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5105#post5105

In my case I think I’ll start with tighten the oil pan bolts a little extra and see if it helps…

I have a new gasket set waiting and if the leak should get any worse, I’ll just have to deal with installing it then and now I have rough idea what to expect.
I will most likely get the pan off and give it good clean up some day anyway

Step I right now will be to tighten the pan bolts and then give the engine a good power wash ;)

[centurion 455 ragtop]

:laugh: Ask Adam....:rant: he's doing one most likely today:D Check out the link Robroy posted above.

[Smartin]

Just a recap:

Remove starter
Remove motor mount bolts
Remove cooling fan
Using a piece of wood for a pad, jack the engine up at the harmonic balancer. This is where it gets tight when you're lying under the car - not much room to move.
Remove the wiring harness holder (2 bolts) and slide it forward to that it's out of the way.
Remove exhaust (if necessary - mine was a Y pipe and was in the way)
Remove all pan bolts
Pry oil pan off the block - it might be difficult, so use a combination of a putty knife and a rubber mallet to knock it loose.

Then when you're done, do everything in reverse:laugh:

[Robroy]

Remove exhaust (if necessary - mine was a Y pipe and was in the way)
So you got the Y pipe although it’s a dual exhaust?

[Smartin]

My car (LeSabre) does not have dual exhaust. Only single...

[Robroy]

I was thinking on your Centurion :Dou: :Dou:

[Smartin]

Both cars are 455's, but the LeSabre is a single exhaust. I don't know if this procedure covers the 350 cars or not. I imagine it is similar, though.

[Robroy]

Speaking of exhausts, I ordered my second dual one yesterday from Klasskollection (mr Kepich)
First one got lost somewhere in the shipping process and my friend and I have been running a claim against the shipping company which finally came through after a loooo:p ong struggle.
This time I added the resonators as well, went standard tubing and mufflers..

[Smartin]

Let us know how it fits...I may be ordering one for the LeSabre from him. I had him do my tail pipes for the Centurion, but not the full exhaust.

[Robroy]

Sure….but it may take a while before I get it, overseas shipping via container take months. Hope to have it here in the spring sometime..:rolleyes:

[Robroy]

In my case I think I’ll start with tighten the oil pan bolts a little extra and see if it helps…

I have a new gasket set waiting and if the leak should get any worse, I’ll just have to deal with installing it then and now I have rough idea what to expect.
I will most likely get the pan off and give it good clean up some day anyway

Step I right now will be to tighten the pan bolts and then give the engine a good power wash ;)

I checked the oil pan bolts today and they could all do with a bit extra since they felt a little loose. Hope this does the trick stopping my oil leakage :p