Oil Pan: Service and Repair

1982 COUGAR XR-7 & THUNDERBIRD V8-255 & 302

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove fan shroud attaching screws and position shroud over fan, then remove dipstick and tube assembly.
3. Raise vehicle and drain crankcase.
4. Disconnect steering flex coupling, then remove two bolts attaching steering gear to main crossmember and let steering gear rest on frame away from oil pan.
5. Unclip and position splash pan away from ends of stabilizer.
6. Remove brackets attaching stabilizer bar to frame, then pull bar downward.
7. Remove transmission shift linkage bracket from frame rail.
8. Remove engine mount attaching bolts, then disconnect and plug transmission oil cooler lines.
9. Disconnect exhaust pipe at exhaust manifolds.
10. Loosen transmission mount nuts, then position a suitable jack under engine and raise engine until engine mount bolts clear frame mounts and pry engine as far forward as it will slide on the transmission mounts.
11. Position two wooden blocks between engine mounts and frame.
12. Remove oil pan attaching bolts, then lower oil pan to frame.
13. Remove oil pump attaching bolts and inlet tube attaching nut, then lower oil pump assembly into oil pan.
14. Remove oil pan. When removing, pull pan forward of stabilizer bar and steering gear flex coupling. It may be necessary to rotate the crankshaft so that oil pan will clear crankshaft counterweights.
15. Reverse procedure to install.