Easy question, whats involved with replacing the pan. I looks like the prev guy stripped the drain hole. Can you replace the oil pan without lifting the motor?

 

Be easier to tap it to the next larger size drain plug.

 

Yea, I'll take a look at that option, but how hard is it to replace? what do you have to move? rack and pinion?

 

tap it to the next larger size is the best option oil filter should block any metal or they will stay in the bottom of the pan.

If you want to be super safe leave plug out then poor some oil in like you were filling it up to flush any out.

Its strange how people crank down on the oil plug its not under any pressure at all so 7 lb torque is fine or just snug with a little more on it.

 

What about if its rusty as well, potential catastrophic failure!

 

Well you didn't mention that.

 

If you coat the tap with heavy wheel bearing grease, the metal shavings will stick to it instead of falling off into the pan.

 

So there'a potential spot on hte oil pan that is rotten pretty bad, to the point I don't want to poke it.
What are my options?
1: Major job to replace
2: try to clean up area and cover with substance(jbweld?)
3: ?

 

Depends on how long you want to keep it. Sealing a leak for a quick sell? JB Weld. Fixing it right? Replace it.

 

Well I plan on keeping it for a while, 3 to 4 years.
I've never used JB weld or any other material to fix an oil pan. Do you just clean up area and appy?