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OT engine question: Chev 3.1

Car in question is 1990 Chev Cavalier with the 3.1 v6. 165k, belongs to my girlfriend.

I was going to change her transmission fluid and filter today, and a series of events caused the oil pan to get dented. Started the car and it was apparent that the crank was hitting the tray in the pan. Removed the pan, the dent caused the tray to bend up, hit somewhere along one of the connecting rod ends or something. Still unable to identify where the pan hit the crank.. no apparent damage to the crank, minimal to the pan.

Bent the pan back, cut away part of the tray and bent the rest back. Re-installed with a new gasket (took two gaskets and five tries!). The pan is sheetmetal and I made sure to straighten it around all the bolt holes. Having leaking issues front and side of the pan. Guessing she needs a new pan? Leaked with and without sealer.

Also, upon startup there is a high pitched screeching/scraping sound coming from the lower front of the engine.. any ideas? At speed and idle the car sounds and runs fine, despite a little tapping.

I cut out a small portion of the tray around the oil pump.. is this a problem?

Will a new pan and gasket do it, or is it time to dump the chevy?

Carl

Reply to
Carl Saiyed
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Almost forgot..

How tight should the pan bolts be? I didn't use a torque wrench but I don't feel that I "overtorqued" them.. I put them all a we bit tighter than a valve cover to start out.. tightened more when I saw the leak.. no change.

What am I doing wrong for it to leak?

Carl

Reply to
Carl Saiyed

Reply to
L.W.( ßill ) Hughes III

If you are using RTV, you need to let it cure for 24 hours like the package says or it will leak usually.... Same if there is even a fingerprint on the surface, it will leak there. I use acetone or paint thinner or even coleman fuel as a wipe for a final clean before installing.

You need to bend the pan a 'lot' straighter too by the sounds of it or get a new one.

Then when you go to put the gasket on, you can use thread and tie the sucker through the bolt holes so it stays in place.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Reply to
Mike Romain

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