390 oil pan gasket replacement

I took my Mercury to a shop to have them find exactly where the oil leak is coming from. What they told me is it's leaking from the oil pan gasket. They wanted 1236$ to replace it.It's a 66 Mercury MOnterey with a 390. They said they would have to remove the engine to replace the gasket. I would much rather do this myself for only around 20$. Will I have to remove the engine or is there another way to change the gasket? Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm pretty good at paint and body but when it comes to engine removals I tend to draw a blank. Thanks.

 

I don't know about the Monterey but I have swaped out an oilpan on a 390 Failane and Galaxie without having to pull the engine. I did have to unbolt the motor mounts and lift the engine a little, not too hard.

 

One more thing, I had to unbolt the oilpump through the gap between the pan and the block to get it all the way out. again not too hard just need good finger control.

 

My Galaxie isn't sittin' here so I can't say for certain, but I've been working on the steering so I've hung out down around there alot... I think it could probably be done, but in addition to the crossmember, it would PROBABLY take unhookin' the steering system. I'm almost certain the center link would have to come out (which includes poppin' the tierods, not too bad though)... Or at least unbolted from the idler and swung the hell outta the way. This is why my 402 pisses oil outta every orifice.

 

Thanks guys. Yea, I would have to move some of the steering linkage but I'd rather jack up the engine a little and unbolt a couple of small things than pay out the ass to have a 20$ gasket put on my engine. I'm in love with my car too.

 

I have a 64 390 and I just undid the motormounts( after taking out all the pan bolts) and lifted it using a hoist. There isnt a whole lotta room for pan removal

 

Heck, even if you have to pull the engine way out of it,you would come out cheaper than paying 12 hundred bucks for them to do it.

 

Yea, a hell of a lot cheaper. I could even repaint the oil pan It needs it.

 

YAH thats a 1 piece gasket too., easy..stick it n place with some fast tack sealer........just raise the eng as far as ya can, keep an eye on rad hoses etc while you are jacking...good luck...like the guys said, u can do a lot of foolin around to save 1200....

gaspumpchas

the only difference between genius and stupidity is, genius has its limits...albert einstein

 

Bring it over to my place, I'll do it for $618, half price!

Beer not included.

 

Here's how you do it:

Step 1 - Find a Studebaker owner.
Step 2 - Ask him/her what CASO stands for! (it's applicable to every Studebaker owner I know, including me).
When he/she responds "Cheap-A$$ Studebaker Owner" ask him/her how they would do it!!! I guarantee they'll figure out a way to do it for around the $20 mark you are aiming for. I know I would...
Good luck!

 

You providin the beer

 

Just got back from finishing up the front end on my Galaxie, I concur that if you jacked up the engine a couple inches it shouldn't be bad... I think I could and I have a bigass 9 quart Milodon pan. One thing that no one seems to mention, WATCH THE BELLHOUSING when you jack up the motor... By that I mean the top of the bellhousing hittin' the firewall. Good way to ugly up a firewall if you get too willy nilly.

That's one of the all-time great car songs!

 

Good point! be careful.

 

Thanks guys for all the responses. Everyone here I know is a Chevy person and don't really like to work on Ford stuff. Me, I'm a car guy, Ford,Chevy,Chrysler and everything in between

 

Works for me! I've had all kinds, if I like it it's a good one.
(Partial to Fords though )

 

Whatever you do, please be extra careful in how you support your car with you under it and a motor hanging from a chain hooked to a cherry picker. Don't screw up your health to save some $. I know my '66 Tbird weighs over 4000lbs, your Mercury's probably no lightweight.

 

I just did the oil pan gasket on my 65 Galaxie with a 352. I had the car on jack stands set under the A pillars. I then unbolted the motor mounts and jacked off of tranny. You only need to go a couple inches. Whole job including cleaning and painting the oil pan was 3 hours.

 

yeah it shouldnt be that crazy, in my 63' linkage and mounts were in the way but thats it i do belive, i cant understand why someone would charge a fortune to do it....

 

FEs are known a little for leaky rear main seals, especially with the old rope gasket. It's more work, obviously, but if it were me, I'd do it at the same time. They sell neoprene 2 piece types that seal pretty good. It's just a pain in the ass getting all the rope one out. Just a thought.

 

I've been debating about changing the rear main seal while I have the pan down. I'm def going to be painting my oil pan, it needs it bad. Thanks everyone for the info and advice

 

Shouldn't be much debate. Drop the rear main cap, if the seal is a roap type dig it out and slip a new neoprene one in. Easy enough while you have the pan down.

 

Yep, just do it while you're there... Ask yourself "would I like to be a huge oily mess once, or twice?".

 

Find someone who has a Motor's manual for your car. They will tell you all the secrets to the job. I have one for Ford's but not Mercs. It will have things like " turn the number 8 piston to tdc to get clearance for the pan to come out". If you can find one, it will make your life easier.