1970 Oil Pan Removal Help Needed (2 Viewers)

[FJRama]

I have dropped oil pans on five other vehicles, but my 1970 FJ40 oil pan takes the cake in terms of not wanting to come off. I am the third owner of this true barn find and it has been off the road since '97. It does not appear that the oil pan has ever been off. The original owner had it up until 54k and his only modification was putting white steel wheels on it. The second owner, who I bought it from, drove it from 54-89k and never had any motor work or engine gaskets changed on it.

All the bolts are out, but no amount of prying or taping with a dead blow will free it up. I have tried heating the edge with a hot air gun, but am afraid to apply an open flame source of heat due to the amount of built-up oil residue - a fire doesn't sound fun to me. I'm 99.9% sure that the original cork gasket is simply hermetically sealed to the block.

There don't seem to be very many good locations to apply any serious prying leverage. Any advice on the best method to persuade the cork gasket to let go and get the oil pan off would be very, very appreciated.

A few pics for reference:

 

[mdsims]

Some folks employ the bottle jack trick. Look it up. Jack between the side of oil pan (bearing on a 2x4 for support) and frame I believe. Constant pressure and persuasion. POP

Edit:

Oil pan removal

Are there any hidden bolts holding the pan on? I have all the bolts out that I can see but am having trouble getting the pan to come loose. I have read a few FAQ and threads and no luck so far. Any suggestions would be appreciated. JB

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[charliemeyer007]

Maybe a little squeeze bottle with a elbow nozzle as wet the gasket with acetone several times around the perimeter might help soften the gasket compound or use a heat gun.

https://www.amazon.com/Economy-Bottle-Squeeze-Medical-Tattoo/dp/B00WTHLR18

 

[Pighead]

You remembered the bolts on the front, right?

 

[FJRama]

You remembered the bolts on the front, right?

Yes. I think it's the cork gasket turning to concrete over the years. Thanks.

 

[Jdc1]

Saw this on a reel- been meaning to pick one up.

Gasket/Pan remover

 

[Mr. Green]

I used a putty knife on one corner then it peeled away better vs trying to get it all in one shot. Cork gasket was original and thick enough to facilitate this on mine also.

 

[Jdc1]

I used a putty knife on one corner then it peeled away better vs trying to get it all in one shot. Cork gasket was original and thick enough to facilitate this on mine also.

There’s also a set of scrapers with a strike end that works well.

 

[Camotubebender]

spray good adhesive remover (auto tech or 3M) on the cork gasket a few times and let it soak in for a while then cut into it with a knife or scraper

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Bottle jack! Keep it under pressure for a couple of hours, turn jack some more, wait a couple of hours. Apply heat if needed periodically. FSM shows to use a scraper blade with a flat end to strike blade into cork. Bottle jack works well.

 

[OhioFJ]

 

[majdomo]

+1 on bottle jack trick. Make sure to put a 2x4 on the oil pan side to avoid a bottle jack-shaped dent in the pan. Even better is to use some plywood to distribute the force on the side of the pan.

The real fun starts once you get it to drop

EDIT - I'd be careful with hammering a scraper or chisel or whatever into the cork. Can put a decent mark in the mating surfaces and if it pops after giving it a good whack, you might hammer the tool into the rotating part of the bottom end. As Andy Dufresne says, "pressure and time."

 

[bubfuji]

TIP:
Try to work a paint scraper between the oil pan flange and the engine block. Then use a propane torch. The cork gaskets do not like the heat. Heat the oil pan flange (entire flange). Nice slow rotations around the entire pan. The pan will release from the block. All bolts removed, nice even heat (around the entire flange). pull down on the paint scraper or another wedge device. Please watch the pan, sometimes it just drops off. Stay clear. Be patient.

Please post back with success or failure.