Thanks to Per!! I got the lower oil pan out. Now not sure how to get the upper trough out?

jrenda

well it was 98 degrees out and 100% humidity but i managed to get the lower oil pan off.  Wanted to lower the front suspension so I pulled the coils and cut em a bit.  Dropped the cross member and got all 34 bolts out holding the oil pan.  The oil that was in there drained out real smooth - I am assuming it was newer oil as there was no smell or any sort of sludge in it.  But there was sludge beneath the fresh oil so I will be cleaning that this week.  How do I get the upper oil trough off so i can inspect and clean that?

and lastly other than a ton of rags - what does anyone recommend for getting all the sludge out of the oil pan?  I already used a scraper to get the heavy gunk out.  I'd like to get it completely clean.

And a very sincer Thank You to Per for coming over on a very hot day and giving me some pointers.  I appreciate that he spent his time helping me out and looking over the car.  He got me inspired to clean it proper and try to get the stock engine to run. Thank You Per!

- jason

jrenda

sorry - this is for a 48 Commodore with 8 cyl engine,

Jon B

I am assuming that the upper oil tray gasket is just stuck to the block.  Maybe try to force a thin sheet of something, between the top of the pan flange and the underside of the engine block, to break the seal, and just slide it around the perimeter of the pan flange.  Like one of those stainless steel eraser shields, they're pretty thin.

jrenda

thanks guys.  is there a specific gasket i need for the upper tray?

Jon B

Just buy two oil pan gaskets, one for tray and one for pan.

It's been awhile but I believe that a rubber O-ring fits into a relieved hole at the rear end of the engine block (on the mating surface of the pan).  This hole mates with that little metal tube that comes up at an angle from the sump.in the pan.  The O-ring seals it.

Frankvintagefullflowcom

They're same upper and lower and they are supplied as a set with the pick-up tube O-ring, the latter being a very important item when re-assembly time comes. It must seal perfectly.

Separating upper and lower is done as Jon describes but it can be a tedious process to accomplish without distorting the dipper tray flange. It's pretty thin. There's nothing holding them together except age and maybe gasket cement.

If you haven't gotten the upper tray off of the reservoir yet, then I predict that you ain't seen nuthin' yet in the sludge department.

F

SuperDave

When you put it back together DO NOT use any RTV sealant near the pickup tube!  And be sure to fill the dipper tray with oil BEFORE starting the engine. That procedure is covered in the mechanical procedure manual. You are lucky to have Per for a friend!!

Jon B

Amen to Dave's remarks on filling the upper tray with oil.  We had a case earlier this year, with a lady driving a 1930 Hudson around the world, where she took the car to a foreign car shop to have engine work done.  They were much better acquainted with BMW's and Mercedes, than Hudsons.  They did the engine work, replaced the oil pan without filling the upper tray with oil, and the lady was off in a cloud of dust.  She got a couple miles down the road and suddenly all eight rod bearings burned out.