PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

OK, what's up with the aluminum oil pan playing a role in supporting the weight of the engine?
How the heck do I replace my pan gasket? I see I need an engine hoist but where does the upper part of the big crap aluminum bracket unbolt?

Many thanks!

The bracket is held on with 2 - 15mm bolts that go into the pan, and 1 - 15mm nut that goes on a stud located on the block next to the timing cover. Once you get the 15mm nut off, you'll need to remove the stud to be able to angle the bracket out of the way.

Don't complain about that bracket too much, it elimated the TAM (torque axis mount) and therefore made belt changes go from 1hr to 30 seconds.

I agree, just getting to be one thing after another and more time and money lol.

lol yeah, i feel your pain, tried it myself and found the same thing. had my tech at work do it up for me. you need to support the engine then take the bracket out with the mount then the oil pan comes out.. with the right tools it was easy, but in my garage it was a pain and decided to have someone do it for me.

S

After using a couple L32's from 2006 Grand Prix's, I don't complain about ours. Their motor mount is under the oil pan and the pan was glued to the block with some pretty good adhesive. They weren't leaking, but they were low miles and a pain to get off with it on an engine stand.

Yea, I'm breaking out the picker this weekend

I have a leaky oil pan gasket as well, how terrible of an idea would it be to clean it up real good and put some high temp gasket sealer on it to keep it from leaking?

Are you sure its the pan? When the valve cover gaskets leak it can look like an oil pan leak.

I'm did covers with the LIM and the pan is a freaking nasty mess all over from end to end. Don't want to stop now, lol!