Im replacing the oil pan gasket in my 98 ram 1500 whats the best way to do this, and also what else should i do as far as maintenance. thanks for the advice.

 

Oil pan gasket is easy. Disconnect battery, drop starter motor, (I didn't even unhook the wires, just set it where it was resting on the upper control arms. I think I have a ministarter though, that feller is tiny) There are two supports that go from the bottom of the engine to the bell housing, pull those, and then take off the inspection plate. A hundred little bolts later (slight exaggeration....) the pan will basically drop right off, and you pull it back and wiggle it a little to get it out. (take the dipstick out before you drop the pan......)

While you are there, replace the oil pump. You will have a very nice view of the back of the flex plate, if it has some oil on it, change the rear main seal as well.

 

IIRC, a 2 wheel drive might not be as easy. The engine pipe might need to be removed. But since I might be wrong, and the fact we don't have that info, I guess I'll shut up!LOL

 

What engine do you have?

 

+1.... Not much info to go by dude. Rule #1, want help? Add all the info about the truck to your sig. It will take all of 5 minutes.

 

while i got the pan out your telling me i can replace the rear main seals without having to drop the tranny??.. if this is true then thats a huge relief..if not then i read it wrong and got overexcited.

thx again

 

98 ram 1500 5.2 ltr what else do you need?

 

I / WE , need to be able to just look at your sig and see ALL the info about your truck!(when we read the thread you start) WE, STILL don't know if it is 4 wheel drive or not, if all the info is in your sig, we don't have to guess and you don't have to type it in every time. I asked if it was 4x4 or not, and ALLDATAdiyINFO asked what motor you had. Just makes things a lot easier for everyone involved.

 

its your lucky day.
http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech-article-31.html

 

lol zman at it again about sigs.....buts its true....a 2WD wont just drop down....you need to prop the motor up or something because it wont 'slide" out, it will get stuck on the frame.....so we need all the info....