oil pan

O K, after reading a lot of info here, I am ready to replace my rear main seal. so I crawl under my 65 CJ5 and drain the oil, remove all but the 4 corner bolts of the oil pan. I place the jack under the pan, (I remember someone getting a thunk on the head), remove the final bolts, and ease the jack down, expecting to see the pan "drop". but nothing happens. Is there a secret 'trick' to getting the darn thing loose? Any and all help and advice is welcome.
Thanks, this is a great place to learn.
J E

 

Welcome J E from NC. Question: is your engine a 4-cyl, V6, or other?

 

The key word being, "gently"

tommy b

 

Sorry should have put my info in the 1st post. I have an F134, 4 cyl, 3 spd. pretty stock as far as I can tell.
I will try the 'pry gently' theory today.
Thanks
J E

 

Might be stuck to the engine with gasket cement. Go ahead and slip a putty knife in, but don't pry enough to damage the mating surfaces or bend the pan. Be double-dog sure that all the bolts are out too!

 

Tapping it with a rubber mallet seems to work for me too.

 

Well, I am suceeding! Thanks to all of you, I got the oil pan off. Using the putty knife and ,resisting the urge to get a BIGGER hammer, it finally came loose. got the bearing cap off thanks to a poster here that suggested using the bolts inserted just a little to 'wiggle' it back and forth. The old seal came out quite easily. It was broken, and the 'rubber dowels' had been cut off, so that explains why it was leaking. got everything cleaned up well, Then the REAL fun began........What a Major PIA to get that seal in. I must not have used enough lubricant, cause it fought me all the way. But it's in, cap back on, gonna torque it tomorrow, and fight with the dowels. If anybody has any really good suggestions for getting them in, please tell me.........Please? Looks like stuffing a wet noodle you know where would be easier.
J E

 

I just went through this. I spent two days of total frustration thinking I was doing something wrong on such a simple task. However, come to find out I had bought a cheapo set of seals. I then went and bought a FELPRO set and worked like a champ. I would say that if they do not "slip" right in or they are a major PIA and you find yourself trying everything under the sun to get them in, go get another set.

Also, on those two half moon seals make sure they are offset and apply a little RTV to the ends that are exposed. This will help to keep them together.

Good luck

 

Kiowamtp, you are SOOOOOOOOOO right about the Brand of seal. I went to install the 'plugs', and they were just too large. Called around and found 1 set 50 miles away. So, I needed to ride the bike anyway, went and got them. They slipped right in. Now I have an extra seal if the cheapie takes a dump. Put the pan back on last night, and am redy to fill with oil and test run.