[Soarer]

2004 Ram 2500 4WD CTD w/256k. Northeast truck that has plowed snow the past 4 years and has some corrosion under the hood. The oil pan rusted through and I'm working on replacing it. I'm trying to lift the motor a few inches so I can drop the oil pan to clear the crossmember and transmission bellhousing. I loosened the nuts on the motor mount bolts without too much trouble but now the bolts seem to be frozen into the motor mounts by corrosion. I can see that the tabs on the frame of the truck are notched so the mount bolt will raise out of it without totally removing the bolts which is a blessing but I've got to slide the bolts back about an inch so they'll clear the ears on the frame. I got the passenger side bolt to turn but it won't slide back. The driver side bolt is tough to reach because the starter blocks access to it. With a 18mm socket on a universal joint and a long extension, I can't get enough torque on it to get it to spin.

Has anyone ever run into this problem? How do I get these damn bolts to slide back an inch so the motor will lift out of the crossmember?

 

[Jhenderson]

Have you taken up enough tension on your hoist to relieve all pressure on the bolts? Its a fine line. Too much and the captive washer under the bolt head catches on the mount ear and can’t slide out. After that it’s Penetrating oil and patience. Pull the starter if you must. An impact tool and impact swivel will make your job much easier. You need to spin the bolts a lot to free them up from the corrosion. The faster the better.

 

[El Pozzinator]

This’ll definitely be interesting. I’ve yet to hear of someone reporting successfully changing the oil pan without removing the engine. Remember the crank hangs partway down in there and you have other stuff in the pan bolted to the block which will impede its movement. Might have to pick up higher than you’re expecting. I really hope it works though and would love to see some pics if you manage to get it done.

Good luck!

Seriously, not being snarky. If mine ever goes, I’m trailering it to Dallas to my buddy’s place and using his lift and cherry-picker.


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[evildiesel]

This happens in Canada all the time lol. I had a situation where I had the motor out and the bolt basically welded itself into the mount so I replaced the mount. U have to get it to spin. It’s the only way. Try and find a way to get an impact on it and soak it in penetrating oil every few hours.

 

[Soarer]

Have you taken up enough tension on your hoist to relieve all pressure on the bolts? Its a fine line. Too much and the captive washer under the bolt head catches on the mount ear and can’t slide out. After that it’s Penetrating oil and patience. Pull the starter if you must. An impact tool and impact swivel will make your job much easier. You need to spin the bolts a lot to free them up from the corrosion. The faster the better.

I put an engine hoist on the front of the motor and started lifting but it was just lifting the whole front of the truck up. The mounts are holding onto the frame for sure. They didn't budge a millimeter. I'll soak 'em in PB Blaster and give it another go tomorrow. I think I'm gonna have to pull the starter and buy some swivel impact sockets too. Hey, it's a good excuse to buy more tools, right? The interesting part is going to be trying to get pressure to push the bolt outwards while spinning it from the other side. Might be a two man job.

 

[Soarer]

This’ll definitely be interesting. I’ve yet to hear of someone reporting successfully changing the oil pan without removing the engine. Remember the crank hangs partway down in there and you have other stuff in the pan bolted to the block which will impede its movement. Might have to pick up higher than you’re expecting. I really hope it works though and would love to see some pics if you manage to get it done.

Good luck!

Seriously, not being snarky. If mine ever goes, I’m trailering it to Dallas to my buddy’s place and using his lift and cherry-picker.


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It's definitely been done. There are guys who have posted YouTube videos about it. If you lift the motor right up to the top of the firewall, you have enough room to clear the oil pickup tube and front of the transmission.

 

[El Pozzinator]

Sweet! Imma hafta go sniff out some of those videos. Thanks!


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[Soarer]

I got the oil pan job done. It certainly wasn't easy but all in all, wasn't that bad. I'm going to do a write up of it.