Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

I recently acquired a 1931 A that has a big oil leak from the drain behind the rear main. In dropping the oil pan, I was unable to lower it out as the forward lip is a little forward of the front crossmember. In searching the forum for a solution I came across this from ten years ago: (removal is simple unless) the engine has worked too far forward and the front cross member interferes with the lip on the pan. This seems to be the case with my car. What is the solution to fix this? Could it also be the cause of my leak?

Re: Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

Do you have regular stock mounts on the front and rear?

To get the pan out after the engine has slipped forward, you will have to first figure out why it happened so you can prevent it. I would think someone installed the front mount incorrectly or something broke with it. Since you want to get the pan off, you can't use a jack with a block of wood under it unless you move the engine back then take it off.

You will have to loosen the rear mounts, put the jack under the engine and jack it up just enough to put pressure on it to hold it. Then loosen the front and jsck the engine up a little bit. At this point you need to decide if the front mount was tbe problem so you might have to remove it here. If not, you can probably push the engine back into place.

Re: Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

Sometimes it’s a small fight at the front . Usually it is because the front crossmember has been replaced and not done well or the crossmember itself is not correct dimensionally. If you find bolts in the crossmember that is a telltale sign.

How to deal with it...... you can loosen the rear mount to flywheel bolts and as Chris said maybe at least loosen the lower front mount and you can take a pry bar to see if he engine will move rearward enough to get it out. My bet is you can. I’ve had Some difficult ones but eventually get them. A pry bar between the timing cover and rear edge of front crossmember may help. Be careful when reinstalling you don’t damage the oil drain tube.

Maybe take and post a photo if you can’t get it.
I don’t buy they engines slip forward , unless rear engine mounts and rubbers are totally toast would that occur. Then you should be replacing them first before pulling an oil pan.
Let us know how you do....post photo if need be

Larry shepard

Re: Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

Did you take the two upper bolts out of the flywheel cover?

Re: Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

Thanks guys. It’s kind of hard to get good pictures, but maybe this will show what’s going on. I finally did get it off with a lot of maneuvering and a some loss of skin. Getting it back on might be a little tricky.

Re: Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

The picture taken from under the car also shows a crack in the metal next to the pan. Ed

Re: Difficulty with oil pan removal
 

I did, eventually