So onto my next endeavor, replacing the the oilpan (winter salt has taken its life).

I am looking for any suggestion on how to get it out. Manuals say lift engine and remove cross member or pull the engine or engine and transmission. The steering rack is already out, so I thought that would make this easier.

I'm having difficulty breaking the cross member nuts loose. I have a replacement oil pan from the junkyard ready to go.

 

please tell me you have the engine held up with a cross brace! It sits on the cross member, you know. Generally, there is just enough room to swap pans by simply unbolting the motor mount BRACKETS from under the cross member. Depending on the car, there may be some other items to move as well. Great time to swap the mounts out too.

 

I swapped the oil pan a few months back. I Removed the top motor mount nuts and lifted the motor up to the max it would allow, then I put some wood blocks to support it. Stupid me forgot to remove the distributor cap and rotor before lifting. It is a very tight fit without removing the crossmember. Be careful not to break the air/oil return hose.

 

I haven't loosened the cross brace or lifted the engine yet (1st time for this, so still planning). The issue at hand is do I use a cherry picker or figure out/buy a cross brace for the fenders? Plan to start on 9/23.

My distributor is on the front of the engine. Already spent $900 (parts) on struts (done), steering rack (old is out, doing oil pan before installing new), front engine seals (80%, need to torque bolts) and full brakes (front done, rear later), what's another $70 for a couple of motor mounts .

 

In the FAQ which is referenced in one of the sticky threads, are some plans for making a cross fender engine support.
Many have found that cheap motor mounts lead to vibration.