will it come out with the motor in the car? or do i need to pull the motor? 455 in a 71 cutlass with headers...

 

Yes it will. No you do not. Remove the distributor so it doesn't break on the firewall, undo the motor mounts and rad hoses,fan,shroud. Jack the engine up until it hits the firewall crawl under and struggle to get all the bolts outs. the struggle to get the pan out. It may be quicker to pull the engine and do it out.

 

Pull the starter too

 

What kind of a crazy way is that to pull a pan? Let's leave the hammers in the box and if the engine needs to come out, then get on w/ it, and install something as you go back in w/ the engine that makes the pan removal more friendly f/ the next time.

 

If I had to do it, I'd probably take out the engine as well

 

Been there,....pull the motor.

 

X2. Yes, the CSM says you can do it without pulling the motor, but by the time you go through all the steps, you're a handful of bellhousing bolts and an hoist away from just pulling the whole motor. The first time the pan gasket slips out of place while you're trying to hold the pan up over your head, you'll really wish you had just pulled the motor.

 

thanks guys..turns out i dont have to...changed the oil pressure gauge to auto meter sport comp and pressure is back to normal... gonna toss the cheap gauge...