oil pan removal

[Jess]

I am about to replace my rear main and oil pump. I have removed all the bolts holding the oil pan up and tried to free it with a big rubber hammer-but it won't budge.

What can I do to get the pan loose without damaging to mounting surface?

 

[heyjpark1]

Beat your head against it :spin1:. Seriously, if its never been off or its been a long time, they're a bugger. I wish I could give you a magical tip, but it took lots of banging with a rubber mallet.

 

[scca28]

I used a thin bladed putty knife, which I ground the tip to a sharp edge. Used a hammer to tap it in between the gasket and the pan. Took my time, working it in a little at a time as I worked my way around the pan. After a couple of passes, it popped free.

 

[Crawler]

Yeah, you're probably going to have to carefully cut into it. Once it's started, the rest should follow much more easily.

Take your time... don't rush it!

 

[Jess]

I finally got the pan to break free, however in the process it recieved some damage. I believe it is best to replace it with a new pan.
I was looking a JC Whitney's web site earlier and saw a pan made by Trans-Dapt which has a 3/16 skid plate made into it....but I could only find it for the V8 Jeep engines.

Does anyone know if this product or another similar product is made for the 4.0 and where I can find it? This seems like a good alternative to a new pan and a skid.

 

[3pinr]

There may be others but here is one.

http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?cPath=17_53&products_id=117