Thread: '98 Grand Prix 3800 Oil Pan Removal Help

I haven't even looked yet, i wanted to ask from people who have been there done it before i bothered.

It's developed a rod knock and i was just curious if dropping the pan is as simple as take out a bunch of bolts or if its a total pain in the ars.. I googled it and found one source that said you have to unbolt all the motor mounts, i stopped reading there and wanted to ask here lol..

Pull the motor and put it on an Engine stand to work on it better. You will be able to turn it up side down.
Good luck.

I got to the point last night that i'm 99% sure i can get the pan off, and i didn't drop the cradle or pull the motor, im getting ready to see if thats fact lol.. I removed the motor mount bracket that bolts to either side of the engine (man them bolts are a pain in the ass), removed the upper mounts, and lifted up on the front of the motor about 3 inches(as in the passenger side). I'll have to come up another inch but i think it will work. I'm assuming this is where somone tells me why it won't work this way and i get angry lol so lets hear it

Even if this does work for getting the pan off, I may be pulling the motor anyways if these bearings don't shut it up. Found a short block local for $200. Car had under hood fire.

Originally Posted by 99prixgt

there is a full L36 motor available for $50 on clubgp the motor has 122k

thx for the heads up, hope its close..

im 99 percent sure that pan isnt coming off... tried it multiple times and that damn engine mount gets in the way.

got it off. the only problem is I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it back on. The pickup tube was in the way so i had to reach into the 5" of clearance i had between the pan and the block and remove the two bolts holding it in, then the pan maneuver right out without much trouble at all. Getting it back on with that little bit of clearance is going to be a pain but i think its doable, definitely better than removing all the wires/hoses to remove the engine...

I don't see how it could possibly be easier than removing the engine. You have to disconnect so much crap and not mess anything up in he process. This was a pain in the rear, but I've done worse and really can't see pulling the engine completely out of the car just to remove the pan.

Originally Posted by WoR

I don't see how it could possibly be easier than removing the engine. You have to disconnect so much crap and not mess anything up in he process. This was a pain in the rear, but I've done worse and really can't see pulling the engine completely out of the car just to remove the pan.

maybe it just gets easier and easier after you do it more than once til you have a process?

if you have a rod knock, more often than not, the crank is gone.

The crank looked fine, but, got it put back together, and guess what (you prob. already know) it still has a knock Its not near as bad but its still there. Guess it will have to come out anyway. I'm prob. gona drive it till its about to let loose, maby it will last long enough to get the money to fix it. I found a short block for $200 but after all the other crap i'll need (water pump, gasket set, timing set, etc...) i prob. need to save about $500... Would my short block be worth anything as re-build able?

I'm sure it's salvageable. If i had the funds, I'd want to dismantle the engine completely and see what needs to be replaced.