Easy Guide To Changing Your Dyna Oil Pan

Changing the oil pan on a Harley-Davidson Dyna motorcycle is a complex process that requires a range of tools and materials. The oil pan may need to be replaced due to a stripped or damaged drain plug, a cracked or damaged pan, or a leaking oil pan gasket. Before beginning the process, it is important to warm up the engine, as this will allow the oil to drain more quickly and trap contaminants. The oil drain plug should then be removed, followed by the oil filter, which should be checked for damage and replaced if necessary. The oil pan can then be located and removed, taking care to catch any remaining oil in a collection pan. When reinstalling the new oil pan, it is important to clean the surfaces and practice the reinstallation to avoid damaging the new gasket. The oil pan bolts should be tightened evenly and torqued to the factory spec. Finally, the engine can be refilled with new oil, taking care not to overfill.

How to Change a Dyna Oil Pan

Drain the oil and transmission fluid

Before you begin to change your transmission fluid, it's a good idea to warm up the transmission so that the fluid drains better. You can do this by letting your car idle for a few minutes, or by going for a short drive. If you choose to idle the car, make sure you run through all the gear options so the transmission fluid has a chance to circulate. Once the engine is warmed up, switch it off and raise the vehicle. You'll need to get underneath your car, so use ramps or jack stands to raise it, ensuring it's level and fully secured in a stable position.

Now you can locate the transmission fluid pan. The pan will be attached to the bottom of the transmission with six to eight bolts, so you'll have to crawl underneath the vehicle to find it. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, the transmission is typically situated left-to-right under the engine bay. For rear-wheeled vehicles, the transmission typically hangs under the center console area, facing front to rear.

Place a large collection pan or drain pan under the transmission fluid pan to catch the old oil as it drains out. If your transmission has a drain plug, you can simply remove this with a spanner or socket and the fluid will start to drain. If your vehicle doesn't have a drain plug, you'll need to loosen and remove the oil pan, but first, remove all but three of the bolts at one end. This will allow the pan to tilt and the fluid to drain while still remaining in place. Once the fluid has drained, you can remove the oil pan completely, ensuring all the fluid empties into your collection pan.

Examine the fluid that has drained out. Most automatic transmission pans have a magnet inside to collect metal shavings from worn moving parts. Remove these shavings along with the remaining fluid in the pan. Metal shavings are normal, but any large or odd-shaped chunks are not and may indicate damage to your transmission.

Remove the exhaust

To remove the exhaust from your Dyna Super Glide, you will need a standard socket set. There are two bolts on each pipe where the exhaust connects to the cylinder. Remove these four bolts. Then, in the centre of the pipes and to the rear, there are two more bolts that need to be removed. Once these bolts are removed, the exhaust will come off with minimal effort.

Note that you may want to replace the exhaust rings, but it is possible to reuse them if there are no leaks.

Now that the exhaust has been removed, you can move on to removing the oil pan. Locate and remove the eight bolts holding the oil pan in place. The one behind the exhaust will come most of the way with an Allen wrench, but you will need a flathead to completely remove it. Once these bolts are out, the oil pan will fall.

When putting the oil pan back together, make sure to clean the new pan and the edges of the transmission where the oil pan bolts on.

Take out the oil pan

To take out the oil pan, you will need a flat jack and some small blocks of wood to lift the transmission and create the clearance needed to remove the oil pan. You may also need to remove the rear motor mount.

Firstly, drain the fluids. Drain the oil and transmission fluid by removing the two drain plugs from the oil pan.

Next, remove the exhaust. There are two bolts on each pipe where the exhaust connects to the cylinder. Remove these four bolts. In the centre of the pipes and to the rear, there are two more bolts that need to be removed. Once these bolts are removed, the exhaust will come off easily.

Now you can remove the oil pan. There are eight bolts holding the oil pan in place. One is behind the exhaust and will need to be removed with an Allen wrench and a flathead. Once these bolts are out, the oil pan will fall.

Before putting the new oil pan in place, clean the new pan and transmission where the oil pan bolts to the transmission.

Clean the new oil pan

To clean a new oil pan for a Dyna Harley-Davidson, you should first inspect the pan for any debris and remove it. Next, clean the edges of the oil pan and the transmission where the oil pan bolts to the transmission. You can use a detergent that breaks down oil, such as Simple Green, and some shop rags to clean the pan. Remember to use plastic or composite tools to avoid damaging the soft aluminium of the pan. You can also use a wooden spatula to scrub the pan.

It is important to clean the oil pan and gasket surfaces thoroughly before reinstallation. You should also practice reinstalling the oil pan before positioning the gasket. This will help ensure that you do not damage or distort the new gasket. Have all your hardware cleaned and prepped before you begin the installation.

Once you are comfortable with your approach, you can position the gasket and slide the oil pan into place. Tighten the hardware evenly and torque to the factory specification. Finally, fill the oil pan with new oil, such as Bel-Ray total performance lubricants.

Re-attach the exhaust

To re-attach the exhaust after changing the oil pan on a Dyna, follow these steps:

First, gather the necessary tools and parts, including a new oil pan, a new oil pan gasket, a new ring clamp for the oil pickup line, black high-temp RTV, a standard socket set, needle-nose pliers, a flathead screwdriver, a set of Allen keys, and a torque wrench.

Next, clean the new oil pan and transmission surfaces. Ensure that there is no debris on the new pan and clean the edges of the pan and transmission where they will be bolted together.

Now, you can begin the process of re-attaching the exhaust. This will be the reverse of the removal process.

Locate the two bolts on each pipe where the exhaust connects to the cylinder. These four bolts need to be re-inserted and tightened. There are also two more bolts located in the center and rear of the pipes that need to be secured. Once all these bolts are in place, the exhaust will be securely attached.

After the exhaust is re-attached, you can move on to mounting the new oil pan. Line up the pan with the transmission and apply a thread locker to the bolts. Insert the bolts but do not tighten them yet; only snug them.

Starting from the center of the pan, tighten each bolt to the specified torque, working your way outward. The last two bolts to be tightened should be the outer bolts. Double-check your work to ensure that the pan is properly secured and there are no leaks.

Finally, you can fill the new pan with the appropriate fluids, and your Dyna will be ready to ride!

Frequently asked questions