Changing my water pump has led me down a deep, dark, greasy hole; I now have to change the oil pan gasket in this cascading catastrophe of truck maintenance. I’ve gotten the bolts out (and removed the starter to get two hidden ones!) but the pan won’t come out because the oil pick up, I think, is holding it on. Everything I’ve read says lifting the engine is the only way. I need some advice on going about this, please, I’ve never done it. Thanks.

2000 3.0 rwd

 

As said, removing the oil pan on a 1998-2008 3.0 RWD (Coil Spring) truck requires lifting the engine high enough to clear the pickup and the crossmember.

On 2000-2008 3.0 RWD (Torsion Bar) trucks, the oil pan can be removed without lifting the engine.

On 1998-2008 3.0 4x4 trucks, the oil pan can be removed without lifting the engine, but you may need to remove the front differential.

When lifting the engine, you will have to remember that things like wiring harnesses, coolant lines, ground straps, ect will stretch and limit the engine's movement unless you disconnect them. You also need to watch the engine clearance to the firewall. If you leave the transmission with the engine, you will need to loosen the transmission mounts as well so that the transmission can pivot.

Most people that lift an engine to do this say that pulling the entire engine was easier than just lifting it up. You will have to make that call yourself.

I highly suggest watching a few videos on oil pan gasket replacement, especially on a Ranger.

 

I don’t have coil springs, but I can’t get the pan to move. It’s loose, but I’m afraid to force anything. I’ve watched several videos and all lift the engine. I’ll keep looking, thanks.

 

So if it's a 2000 RWD with Torsion Bars, then it's a Trailhead and it's the same as the Edge/Sport RWD with T-Bars. I have an 03 Edge RWD with Torsion Bars and dropped my oil pan twice now without lifting the engine. It's not easy to wiggle out, but it is possible. I'm not sure though if an automatic transmission makes a difference because I have a manual. I don't remember the automatic bellhousing hanging much lower than the manual bellhousing, but maybe it does.

 

did your bellhousing have the thin metal cover plate? I can’t tell if the oil pan is somehow hooked on it. I’m trying real hard not to just force things, but some have said just pry it out.

 

There's an aluminum plate between the bellhousing and engine, and if that's what you're referring to, then yes it's there. It didn't hang anything up on my truck.

 

maybe I’m just not holding my mouth right. Thanks.

 

Ive done everything to get this stupid f*ckn pan out . I’ve even lifter the engine about 6 inches. There’s plenty of room except the dust shield or whatever it is on the bell housing. The back edge of the pan wedges itself against it about an inch short of coming free. I’ve even pried as hard as I can without worrying about breaking anything and still can’t get it. I’ve been under this stupid truck for 4hours today.

I’m going to cut the cover in a way that I think I can get it back on and see if that lets the pan come off.

 

Do you have an automatic or a manual transmission? I definitely did not have this issue on my truck. I know the pan doesn't fall right off, but I've been able to get it out the last two times I removed it without modifying anything.

 

automatic
ive cut the plate and the oil pan is completely free but it just won’t come out. The engine is up absolutely as high as it can go- the hood is off and I’m up against the fire wall- a minimum of 6 inches. I can wiggle and turn the pan but ut just won’t come free. I can reach inside the pan but I can’t feel where it’s catching. I’m about done with aggravating pos truck. I’m thinking about parting it out.

 

seems to be wedging itself between the bellhousing and the oil pump.
trying to attach a video, but not sure how.


Pic from video I couldn’t get to upload

 

That might be the difference since I have a manual transmission. I haven't attempted this on an automatic.

It looks like it's rubbing the bellhousing pretty hard, which may be holding it up. It doesn't look like it's hanging up on the oil pump.

 

can I loosen the transmission and slide it back or the engine forward a quarter inch?

 

Yes, but you'll need to make sure you undo the torque converter bolts from the flexplate before you do that, and make sure the torque converter moves with the transmission. The last thing you want is to unseat the converter and damage the pump because the torque converter didn't seat all the way on when you tightened the transmission back to the engine.

 

I got the sumbitch out. I think I bent some lines to the transmission cooler, but I’ll deal with that later if it leaks. I hope I can get it all back together.


Never again!

 

Well, at least you got it out. Sucks you had to go that far.

 

I hate to keep asking questions, but I can’t get the transmission and engine to line up. Any suggestions? It’s like the angles are different, but both are down on their mounts.

 

I gotta know because I’m considering going down the same greasy hole with the oil pan gasket, have you been able to assemble and get it going? I got heads and timing cover stripped and thought I’d do the oil pan gasket on the coil spring suspension 3.0, but keep reading horror stories like yours.