Discovered that when the valves kissed the pistons, I apparently sheared off the oil pump shaft as well. I'm trying to remove the idler arm to drop the pan. I have the castle nut off of it, and the driver side tie rod to drop it...but it will not separate. Anybody have a trick for this? I doubt it's ever been off before, and 41 years if gunk is just not wanting to let it drop. I tried a "pickle fork" wedge...it didn't do anything. I'm open to suggestions.. Thanks for any input...
If the car is off the ground, just unbolt it from the inner frame rail (2 bolts), and the entire steering will pull down, and give you enough room. Makes it easier to change the starter also.
Ummm...ok guys...remove the 2 bolts from the passenger side? I did, and it won't drop down enough for the pan to clear. Maye I'm misunderstanding. Also tried the tool loan thing, and they didn't have one specifically for the idler arm...they had one for the pitman arm, and one for the ball joints...neither of which would fit. I'm a bit perplexed with this, as it sounds like it's no big deal with you guys lol. Thinking I must be doing something wrong here...and would really appreciate some clarification. Thinking of pulling the motor mount bolts and trying to lift engine enough to clear. Thanks!
If you took out the two idler arm to frame bolts, then there is no need to separate it from the center link. Is it manual or power steering? To remove mine, I dropped everything and used a press, which does not really help you. You might get it with an impact hammer if you have access to one.
Is this a 302? I've always removed the belly bar unbolted the sway bar from the frame even left it bolted to the control arms to remove my pan. Is lowering the steering easier?
It finally dawned on me why I'm having issues...I'm running a Man O War block, with 4-bolt mains...and it won't drop down enough to clear the rear main cap. Oh well...got the oil pump shaft changed out...now just have to get the pan back on. And yes...I know that it's either/or on separating the idler arm. Mine will just not drop down enough to allow the pan to clear everything. Pics of shaft going in new thread shortly... Thanks for the replies guys...
Yes...but it was not without a lot of cussing, fussing, throwing of inanimate objects...retrieving said objects so I could attempt again...and apparently, holding my mouth just right! Note to self...never throw tools in the dark...they're VERY hard to find when the sun isn't shining on them... Actually...the pan never cleared enough to come completely out...but it cleared enough so I could drop the oil pump and replace the shaft. If the headers were off, it would have been easy enough to just remove the motor muont bolts and lift the engine up enough to clear...but I really didn't feel like fighting with the drivers side again to get it back on lol. My passenger side will almost fall into place...not so much on the drivers side. At least it's done now, and I was out there at 5 this morning putting the pan back on before getting ready for work. Will re-attach the idler arm this evening and get everything buttoned back up. Now to get the floor pans patched and the new roll-cage installed before this weekend
