Quick oil pan installation question: 72 Cuda

[72CustomCuda]

Hey folks

I need to install a new oil pan on my 340 because the original has a hairline break around the drain nut that just slowly leaks oil.

The motor is in the car, my question is: can I swap old for new without lifting up the motor off the mounts? I know I'll have to disconnect some of the steering linkages, but that's not such a big deal.

My dilemma is that a shop that put new tires on it (not sure i trust them) is claiming the motor needs to be lifted off the mounts and I'm not sure they're playing straight with me and I don't have a cherry picker at the moment to do it myself. I also don't wanna pay them ridiculous labor rates to swap out a damn oil pan.

[Chryco Psycho]

It can be swapped without lifting the engine . You need to disconnect 1 side of the center link & may have to turn the crank to slide the pan past the front counterweight

[72CustomCuda]

That's what I figured. Thanks.

[72cudamaan]

That's what I figured. Thanks.

Of course, many engines need to be lifted off the mounts to replace the pan. Your shop may be wrong
but don't not trust them because they didn't know for sure. Sounds like they have given you other reasons to not
trust them anyway.

[jimynick]

OR, drain the oil, flush the pan and take a mig and weld up that crack, re-flush the pan and refill with oil and carry on. 

[dougs bs23]

Ya what jimynick said. If your close you can use my hoist and mig if you don't have one

[72CustomCuda]

Appreciate the offers of help guys.  I'm in Fountain Valley, Ca for reference.  I wanted to go with the new oil pan anyways since the stock drain plug hits the centerlink making chaing the oil a pain.  The new pan doesn't have that problem.

I got it done in about 2 hours. 

[Chryco Psycho]