Removing The Oil Pan From Your '68 Impala

Removing the oil pan from a 1968 Impala is a complex task that requires careful attention to multiple steps. It is possible to do it without removing the engine, but it is challenging due to the limited space between the cross member and the oil pan. The process involves jacking up the engine, removing various components, and carefully cleaning and replacing the oil pan and its gasket.

Jack up the engine

Jacking up the engine of a 1968 Impala is no easy feat. The front of the car is quite low, making it difficult to get a jack under the crossmember. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, you will need a floor jack and two jack stands. It is recommended to get a 3-ton floor jack and 3-ton jack stands to ensure they can handle the weight of the car. Place the jack on the frame rail, just behind the front tire. This will allow you to slide a small set of jack stands just behind the front wheels. Raise one side of the car at a time and place the jack stands under the frame.

Next, use the floor jack to raise the rear of the car by placing it under the differential, with the handle coming out from under the car just in front of the rear wheels. Place the jack stands on the frame in front of the rear tires and lower the car onto the stands. Now you can start raising the front of the car by placing the jack under the crossmember. Raise it to the same height as the back and adjust the jack stands as needed.

Another method is to use ramps, specifically those made for lowered cars. Drive the car up onto the ramps, which will give you enough height to slide the jack under the frame. You can also use wooden planks or ramps to drive up on, giving you the extra height needed to get the jack in place.

Once the car is securely raised and supported by jack stands, you can begin the process of removing the oil pan. Remember to disconnect the negative battery cable first and remove the fuel injector sight shield and air cleaner intake duct. Then, follow these steps:

• Remove the right exhaust manifold pipe stud nuts from the catalytic converter.
• Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter.
• Disconnect the oil level sensor electrical connector and reposition the wiring harness.
• Remove the engine mount lower nuts from the engine mount and then raise the engine using an engine support fixture.
• Remove the left and right engine mount bracket bolts and the engine mount upper nuts.
• Take out the engine mount and bracket from the frame.
• Remove the torque converter covers and the oil level sensor.
• Take out the oil pan bolts and remove the oil pan, gasket, and oil pump pipe screen assembly.
• Clean the oil pump screen mating surfaces, oil pan flanges, rail, front cover, and rear main bearing cap.

To install the new oil pan, follow these steps in reverse and refer to the torque specifications provided in the Impala's repair manual.

Remove the oil pan bolts

To remove the oil pan bolts from a 1968 Impala, you will need to first disconnect the negative battery cable. Then, remove the fuel injector sight shield and the air cleaner intake duct. Next, install an engine support fixture and raise and support the vehicle.

Now, you can begin to remove components that are in the way of the oil pan bolts. Remove the right exhaust manifold pipe stud nuts from the catalytic converter. Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter. Disconnect the oil level sensor electrical connector and remove its wiring harness bolt, repositioning the wiring harness.

At this point, you should be able to access the oil pan bolts. Before removing them, you will need to raise the engine slightly to clear the crossmember. You can do this by removing the engine mount lower nuts from the engine mount and using a jack to raise the engine.

With the engine slightly raised, you can now remove the oil pan bolts. Be sure to clean the oil pan bolts and apply thread lock compound to the threads before reinstallation.

Disconnect the negative battery cable

Disconnecting the negative battery cable is a crucial safety precaution when working on your 1968 Impala. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Turn Off the Car

Start by turning off the engine and removing the key from the ignition. This is an obvious but essential step.

Step 2: Locate the Battery

Open the hood of your Impala and secure it with the hood stand. The battery is typically located near the front of the engine, but in some cases, it may be at the side or underneath another engine component.

Step 3: Identify the Negative Cable

Look for two cables attached to the battery. The negative cable is black, while the positive cable is red. Do not touch the red cable at this point.

Step 4: Remove the Negative Cable

The negative cable is usually attached to the battery with a spring clamp, a squeeze bolt, or directly bolted to the battery terminal. To remove it, squeeze the clamp and wiggle the cable back and forth until it comes loose. Be careful not to let the cable touch the battery, as this could reactivate the electrical system. Hang the cable away from the battery, taping it in place if necessary.

Step 5: Work on Your Vehicle

With the negative cable disconnected, you can now safely proceed with the rest of the steps to remove the oil pan from your 1968 Impala. Remember to wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from injury.

Step 6: Reconnect the Negative Cable

Once you have finished working on your vehicle and replaced the oil pan, it is time to reconnect the negative battery cable. Simply reverse the removal process, ensuring that you do not touch the red, positive cable until the negative cable is securely reconnected.

Remove the oil level sensor

To remove the oil level sensor from a 1968 Impala, follow these steps:

First, disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the fuel injector sight shield and the air cleaner intake duct. Install an engine support fixture, then raise and support the vehicle. Next, remove the right exhaust manifold pipe stud nuts from the catalytic converter. Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter. Disconnect the oil level sensor electrical connector. Remove the oil level sensor wiring harness bolt and reposition the oil level sensor wiring harness.

Now, lower the vehicle and use the engine support fixture to raise the engine. Raise the vehicle again and remove the engine mount bracket bolts from the engine. Remove the engine mount upper nuts, then the engine mount and bracket from the frame. Remove the torque converter covers.

At this point, you can remove the oil level sensor. It is located in the oil pan. If you remove the oil pan first, the sensor may be damaged, so be sure to remove the sensor before the oil pan.

To remove the sensor, first disconnect the wire connector. You will need a small flathead screwdriver to do this. Reach into the space and 'lift' the locking tab to unplug the sensor. Now, you can unscrew and replace the sensor. The socket size is 1 1/8".

Once you have replaced the sensor, you can begin to reassemble the vehicle, following the previous steps in reverse.

Clean the oil pan

To clean the oil pan of a 1968 Impala, you will first need to remove the pan from the engine. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it is important to follow the correct steps carefully.

Once the oil pan has been successfully removed, it can be cleaned using a variety of methods. One popular approach is to use a boiling mixture of water, baking soda, vinegar, and mild dish soap. This can be an effective way to remove oil stains and burnt-on residue from the pan. Fill the pan with 2 cups of water, adding 1 tablespoon each of baking soda, vinegar, and mild dish soap. Boil this mixture for around 10 minutes on medium heat, being careful to adjust the heat as needed to avoid boiling over. Use a wooden spatula to scrub away at any stains, then boil for a further 5 minutes. Finally, drain the liquid and gently scrub the pan with a sponge and some mild dish soap.

If there are any remaining stubborn stains, you can try an alternative method. Combine 1 tablespoon each of baking soda, vinegar, and mild dish soap in a small bowl and mix to form a paste. Apply this paste to the pan and then use a ball of plastic wrap to scrub the pan until the stains are removed. The plastic wrap will help to protect the pan's surface while still removing the stains. Finish by rinsing the pan with mild dish soap and a soft sponge.

It is important to clean the oil pan thoroughly, as well as the oil pump screen mating surfaces, oil pan flanges, oil pan rail, front cover, and rear main bearing cap. You can use a plastic blade to scrape away any old residue, and products like acetone, carburettor cleaner, or brake cleaner can be useful for removing contaminants from mating surfaces. For the outside of the oil pan, a degreaser like Simple Green can be effective. Just be sure to lay the pan on cardboard or styrofoam when cleaning the front surface to avoid damaging the aluminium mating surfaces.

Frequently asked questions