Removable panhard rod and #1 oil pan (7 Viewers)

[Riad]

I did the panhard rod couple months ago. It's been holding up pretty good. I decided to reseal the oil pans. Seemed like this would be the best time to get that out of the way, now that I am doing the HG. Hopefully this fixes the infamous oil leak I have. So what do you guys recommend to clean the #1 oil pan. Those carbon deposits are real hard to get off. Any info is greatly appreciated.

ih8carbaon

 

[chibo]

Wish I could help but... did you loosen the engine mounts and jack the front of the block up to get the upper oil pan off?
edit: nevermind, wtf. Details on the removable panhard brace. I never even looked at the topic title ;p

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

When I was cleaning up the carbon deposits in my 22RE oil pan and on the pistons I just used brake cleaner or carb/choke cleaner and a fine bristled brass brush. For the really tough stuff I poured some purple power(I buy it in the big 2.5 gallon jug, not the spray bottle) in the pan and let it sit, repositioning the pan occasionally so that all areas were allowed to soak. Then just dump and rinse with fresh water and it came 90% clean. After that I just sprayed it down w/ brake cleaner to get the water out and then wiped it down with a paper towel to make sure there were no residual pockets of water anywhere that would get in the oil.

More info on the brace please.

Good luck!

Ary

 

[Riad]

Thanks Arya, I need to find the spec for the brace, can't seem to find it it at this moment. I must have misplaced it. I will post back as soon as I find it. I had these braces laser cut from a local place. I actually had 3 off them cut in oval shapes, had a different idea with the 3rd one on the DS bracket but settled for the long bolt there. I got the #2 pan cleaned yesterday the way you have mentioned. It is about 90% clean but I need to scrub off the rest of the stuff. The purple power you are talking about, is it a carbon cleaner or similar stuff as the carb cleaner?

Thanks

 

[landtank]

What am I missing with these removable braces? They have to have additional benefits other than making it easier to remove the oil pan.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Not really sure what purple power is spec'ed as. I think it's just a "degreaser" but it will clean just about anything. You can get it at any parts store.

Ary

 

[Riad]

The oval shaped braces are welded to the OEM rod. Therefore, they make the rod removable. As a result, it is easier to remove the oil pan without lifting the engine/block. That is the sole purpose. I wanted to weld another brace where the long bolt is but decided not to do that. The other benefit is really the design IMHO. The braces are plenty strong themselves and this design is a durable solution because it is supposed to withstand the pressure. I was looking at the dual cats and how they are attached together. I basically tried to follow the same principle. So far it is holding up pretty good without any side effect(s).

 

[landtank]

I've removed my oil pan once in 210K miles, how often are you?

 

[Riad]

I've removed my oil pan once in 210K miles, how often are you?

That's good. Did you have oil leak? If so, was it cured?

 

[landtank]

That's good. Did you have oil leak? If so, was it cured?

Yes, the usual one at the rear. It's very important to be sure the surfaces are clean and the FIPG trench on the pan is cleared out as well.

 

[Riad]

Well it came out pretty easily. I did not pry it with any thing, gently tapped the PS of the oil pan with the removable panhard rod and my 5lb hammer, from the top of engine bay. Basically I placed the rod vertically (from the engine bay) on the PS of the pan that sticks out under the block and tapped on the rod until the pan came loose. I know it may sound scary but it wasn't. Let the cleaning begin

 

[Riad]

...

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

To clean that I'd spray the whole thing down with brake cleaner and wipe it down. Then I'd put the lower pan back on the upper pan and fill it up with a 50/50 dilution of purple power, then let it sit for a few hours.

As for the outside, I'd probably hit it with that foaming engine degreaser, should make it look nice and pretty.

 

[Riad]

Thanks a lot Ary. I am off to the Autozone to get some of that Purple power.

BTW: Does any one know the size of that Allen Bolt in front?

Thanks

 

[Riad]

Well, can't get all the carbon off. Some of the corners are hard to get to. I gave it every thing I've got: Purple stuff, Degreaser, WD40 and etc, soaked it overnight with the purple stuff. I'm gonna power wash it and see if that gets the carbon off.

Man Ih8carbon

 

[ArmyFJ]

Dishwasher...when your wife is not around.

Seriously.

Matthew

 

[cruiserdan]

Dishwasher...when your wife is not around.

Seriously.

Matthew

You could also have it media-blasted. If you do choose to do that remember to clean it off real good before you install it.


Unless it's a show car, what you have so far looks very good.

 

[Riad]

Yeah I thought about the Dishwasher but the Wife has gotten smarter over the years

I am simply trying to get all the carbon and grease off, definitely no intension to make it look like a show truck .

Thanks

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Dude, that looks fantastic, it's just gonna get filled up with oil again....

 

[Riad]

Thanks Ary, here's the spec for the braces, sorry it took me a while..

Braces are laser cut.

lenght: 3.617"
Width: 2.25"
Thickness: 1/4"
Bolt hole OD: 3/8"