I read where the the drain hose is held inside the engine block and if dislocated, it will be necessary to remove the oil pan(which would mean lifting the engine, right?) to repostition the hose correctly. Does the drain hose for the oil sperator ever need to be replaced as maintenance(like if the car has 160k miles)?

 

Rarely, if ever. When you have occasion to remove the oil separator box, like if it's leaking or you just want to clean it out, you can gently ream out the oil return tube and maybe flush with gunk solvent. Then do an oil/filter change. Or the oil return tube could split from old age I guess. It's not a real big deal to replace it. But, as you mentioned, the engine needs to come up an inch or two in order to wiggle the oil pan away from the steering rack and cross member. Soooo -- that means the motor mounts have to be undone. Might as well replace the motor mounts while you're at it. Check the seal on the oil pump tube while you're in there.

 

My oil pan has a dent in it. It's small but it keeps from a normal plug being used, I have to use a special plug with anchors on the back of the plug. I've been restless and thinking about trying to change it. How difficult is it to lift the engine? And how high would I have to lift it? My book saids that it recommends takeing the engine and transmission out and then disconnecting them. Would I have to do this also?

 

Art Benstein has some excellent pics taken when he replaced the seals for the oil pump.

http://cleanflametrap.com/oilpan/

 

Taking the engine/tranny out is overkill. The engine just needs to come up a couple inches or so. You need a little room to rotate the oil pan 90 to maneuver it out. The highest stress will likely be on the upper radiator hose, so you might want to undo that. Would hate to crack the plastic radiator nipple. Best way is to lift the engine at the eye lifting point near the thermostat housing.