Dropping the oil pan on a Foxbody Mustang can be a challenging task due to the limited clearance between the oil pan and the K-member. Some mechanics recommend jacking up the engine to gain more space to work with. This can be achieved by loosening the motor mounts and using wooden blocks to support the engine. Others suggest removing the steering rack to gain additional inches for manoeuvring the oil pan. It is also important to scrape off the old gasket and be cautious to prevent the debris from falling into the oil pan.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Vehicle | 1979-1993 Fox Body Mustang |
Engine | 5.0L |
Oil Change Frequency | Every 3,000-5,000 miles or every 3-4 months |
Oil Type | 10W-30 (for 1979-1980 models), 5W-30 (for 1981-1993 models) |
Oil Capacity | 5 Quarts |
Tools Required | Jack, jack stands or ramps, large rounded wrench, 16mm wrench or ratchet wrench, oil filter, oil drain pan, funnel |
Steps | 1. Jack up the vehicle. 2. Locate front and rear drain plugs. 3. Place drain pan below rear drain plug. 4. Drain oil from rear drain. 5. Drain oil from front drain. 6. Remove old oil filter. 7. Lubricate new oil filter. 8. Install new filter. 9. Add new oil. 10. Reinstall oil cap. 11. Check new oil level. |
Notes | Ensure proper disposal of used motor oil. Consider upgrading oil system before next oil change. |
What You'll Learn
Jack up the car to access the oil pan
Jacking up your Fox Body Mustang is the first step to accessing the oil pan and changing the oil. This can be done with a lift, but a jack and jack stands or ramps will also work. You will need to raise the car high enough to access the drain plugs and oil filter.
Before you begin, it's worth checking out a guide on where the jack points are on your Fox Body Mustang. Once you've located these, you can start to jack up the car.
When you've raised the car, place an oil pan or some other container to catch the oil once the drain plug is removed. It's also a good idea to put some cardboard underneath to soak up any drips that might miss the pan.
Now you're ready to start the oil change process.
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Locate the front and rear drain plugs
The Fox Body Mustang has two drain plugs for the oil pan. To locate the front and rear drain plugs, first jack up your Fox Body high enough to access the drain plugs and oil filter. This can be done with a lift, or a jack and jack stands or ramps.
Once you have located the two plugs, start with the rear drain plug. Place an oil pan or some other container underneath to catch the oil once the drain plug is removed. It is also a good idea to place some cardboard underneath to soak up any drips that miss the pan.
To drain the old oil, unscrew the rear drain plug first using a 16mm wrench, as gravity carries the most oil to that location. Once the bolt is removed, the oil should start draining in a smooth stream. Let the oil drain until the stream turns to a slow drip. Once the oil is barely dripping, reinstall the drain plug using the same wrench you used to remove it.
Repeat this process for the front drain plug.
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Place a drain pan to catch the oil
To place a drain pan to catch the oil, first jack up your Fox Body Mustang. You can use a lift, but a jack and jack stands or ramps will also work. You need to raise the car high enough to access the drain plugs and oil filter. Once the car is raised, locate the front and rear drain plugs. Place an oil pan or another container underneath the rear drain plug to catch the oil. It's a good idea to put some cardboard underneath as well to soak up any drips that miss the pan.
Now, remove the rear drain plug using a 16mm wrench. Loosen the rear bolt and remove it. The oil will start draining in a smooth stream. Let the oil drain until the stream turns into a slow drip. Once the oil is barely dripping, reinstall the drain plug using the same wrench.
Repeat this process for the front drain plug. Remove the front drain plug and let the oil drain into the pan. Once the oil has drained, reinstall the front drain plug.
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Drain the oil from the rear, then the front
To drain the oil from the rear and front of your Foxbody Mustang, follow these steps:
First, jack up your Mustang. You'll need enough clearance to access the drain plugs and oil filter. This can be done with a lift, but a jack, jack stands, or ramps will also work. Next, locate the front and rear drain plugs. You'll start with the rear. Place an oil pan or another container underneath the rear drain plug to catch the oil. It's also a good idea to put some cardboard down to soak up any drips that miss the pan.
Using a 16mm wrench, loosen the rear bolt. Once the bolt is removed, the oil will start draining. Let it drain until the stream turns into a slow drip. Once the oil is barely dripping, reinstall the drain plug using the same wrench. Repeat this process for the front drain plug.
Now that you've drained the oil from the rear and front of the Mustang, you can move on to removing the old oil filter and replacing it with a new one.
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Remove the old oil filter
To remove the old oil filter from your Foxbody Mustang, first locate the oil filter and place an oil pan underneath to catch any oil that might drip from the filter. You can identify the oil filter by looking at the picture in the step-by-step guide.
Next, you need to unscrew the oil filter by turning it counter-clockwise. You should be able to do this by hand, but you might need a wrench to get it moving. A tip to prevent excess oil from leaking is to keep the old filter facing up as you remove it from the body.
Once the filter is removed, pour any extra oil from the filter into the oil pan. Then, examine the old filter. Make sure the rubber seal is still attached to the filter. If it’s missing, retrieve it from the oil filter mount.
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