Pan Dropping Blues.... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

allshotout · 03-13-2015, 10:22 PM

In the middle of a cam swap and have been working on dropping the pan for the last 3 hrs. I have every bolt loosened and the damn thing still won't come down far enough for me to get the pick up tube bolt out!! Any tips, tricks, etc??

JCunningham · 03-13-2015, 11:08 PM

remove all the bolts so you know its down and to dont pull the threads out trying to get it lower.. you need a ratcheting 10mm wrench. Not much room. if you have to get it lower you can remove the oil cooler lines. There a pain to get the clips back in. some coolant will be coming out of them so be prepared.

ChrisBlair · 03-14-2015, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allshotout

In the middle of a cam swap and have been working on dropping the pan for the last 3 hrs. I have every bolt loosened and the damn thing still won't come down far enough for me to get the pick up tube bolt out!! Any tips, tricks, etc??

Is the problem clearance for the pan, or is it crankshaft position?

Is it possible a crank counterweight is really the problem, and moving the crank to a new position will solve it?

allshotout · 03-14-2015, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Is the problem clearance for the pan, or is it crankshaft position?

Is it possible a crank counterweight is really the problem, and moving the crank to a new position will solve it?

Problem was clearance of the pan, but I got that worked out around 2am.

Now I'm stuck trying to get the oil pump off the pick up tube and off crank. I know supposed to rotate away from the tube when pulling off, yeah thats not doing it. That oil ring has a good seal for-sure.

JCunningham · 03-14-2015, 11:00 AM

disassemble the oil pump. it will come off easier. I disassembled my pump to put it on. the pump bolts are 106inlbs. put some blue locktite on them. oil the internals when you put it back together.

allshotout · 03-14-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

disassemble the oil pump. it will come off easier. I disassembled my pump to put it on. the pump bolts are 106inlbs. put some blue locktite on them. oil the internals when you put it back together.

Certainly seems like that would be easier.l

JCunningham · 03-14-2015, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allshotout

Certainly seems like that would be easier.l

you will have plenty of room. just keep it clean and slop it with oil the more the better.

GONIF · 03-14-2015, 04:40 PM

I have changed many oil pumps on the 5.3 LS motors and never had to drop the pan . Is the LS3 different ? I pull off the pump and leave the pickup in the pan , install a new rubber and button it up on a 5.3 iron block/ truck engine. that rubber gasket is the cause of low oil pressure most of the time . Most of the time the pump is still good ,but I always use a new Melling HV pump since im in there .

allshotout · 03-14-2015, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

you will have plenty of room. just keep it clean and slop it with oil the more the better.

Is there as certain way the gears line up in there? I see a dot on the outter ring but noting on inner or case to align up. Or do they just drop back in? Thanks for the help! In the shop in middle of cam swap.

Tim

JCunningham · 03-14-2015, 06:28 PM

No just put it back the same way it came out

black79ta · 03-14-2015, 09:19 PM

I dropped the pan about a half in or so to get the oil pump out. Going back in I pryed it down about 5/8 to get the intake tube on. Also that gave me more clearance to work the far oil pump bolt. Can't remember but I think I completely removed the front half of the oil pump bolts to allow more room for it to drop. When installing the oil pump bolt (far one) you can reach your finger from each hand and get it. If the pan is down far enough it won't be bad. Those ratcheting end wrenches are great.

allshotout · 03-15-2015, 01:29 PM

Dropped on of the comp cam retainers, and it went inside my life cylinder. Thought it went under the car, when I lifted the car to look for it, I heard it pop/crush. Think it would be a problem if I used one of my stock retainers?

JCunningham · 03-15-2015, 01:44 PM

no get a hardened retainer. any speed shops in the area? what cylinder? did it fall inside the engine? if so you could run some cheap walmart oil down where it fell and leave the drain plug off. it might fall out. if it went in a spark plug hole then you have to get it out.

allshotout · 03-15-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

no get a hardened retainer. any speed shops in the area? what cylinder? did it fall inside the engine? if so you could run some cheap walmart oil down where it fell and leave the drain plug off. it might fall out. if it went in a spark plug hole then you have to get it out.

No, I'm sure it fell down to ground.

03-13-2015, 10:22 PM	#1
allshotout Drives: 2014 SS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Georgia Posts: 169 View My Garage	Pan Dropping Blues.... In the middle of a cam swap and have been working on dropping the pan for the last 3 hrs. I have every bolt loosened and the damn thing still won't come down far enough for me to get the pick up tube bolt out!! Any tips, tricks, etc??

03-13-2015, 11:08 PM	#2
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	remove all the bolts so you know its down and to dont pull the threads out trying to get it lower.. you need a ratcheting 10mm wrench. Not much room. if you have to get it lower you can remove the oil cooler lines. There a pain to get the clips back in. some coolant will be coming out of them so be prepared. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-14-2015, 11:00 AM	#5
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	disassemble the oil pump. it will come off easier. I disassembled my pump to put it on. the pump bolts are 106inlbs. put some blue locktite on them. oil the internals when you put it back together. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-14-2015, 04:40 PM	#8
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	I have changed many oil pumps on the 5.3 LS motors and never had to drop the pan . Is the LS3 different ? I pull off the pump and leave the pickup in the pan , install a new rubber and button it up on a 5.3 iron block/ truck engine. that rubber gasket is the cause of low oil pressure most of the time . Most of the time the pump is still good ,but I always use a new Melling HV pump since im in there . __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW

03-14-2015, 06:28 PM	#10
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	No just put it back the same way it came out __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-14-2015, 09:19 PM	#11
black79ta Drives: 79 transam with 582cid dart motor Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: missouri Posts: 529 View My Garage	I dropped the pan about a half in or so to get the oil pump out. Going back in I pryed it down about 5/8 to get the intake tube on. Also that gave me more clearance to work the far oil pump bolt. Can't remember but I think I completely removed the front half of the oil pump bolts to allow more room for it to drop. When installing the oil pump bolt (far one) you can reach your finger from each hand and get it. If the pan is down far enough it won't be bad. Those ratcheting end wrenches are great. __________________ 2010 Camaro (inferno orange, 2SS, RS and such) cat backs, catch can, CAI on the way 79 Transam, 582 cid dart motor 779hp 315's out back 40spline gdaxles tko tranny

03-15-2015, 01:29 PM	#12
allshotout Drives: 2014 SS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Georgia Posts: 169 View My Garage	Dropped on of the comp cam retainers, and it went inside my life cylinder. Thought it went under the car, when I lifted the car to look for it, I heard it pop/crush. Think it would be a problem if I used one of my stock retainers?

03-15-2015, 01:44 PM	#13
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	no get a hardened retainer. any speed shops in the area? what cylinder? did it fall inside the engine? if so you could run some cheap walmart oil down where it fell and leave the drain plug off. it might fall out. if it went in a spark plug hole then you have to get it out. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1