Oil Pan Size

[4babycar]

So, were there two different size oil pans used on the 80-81 spiders? I attempted to change the dented/cracked oil pan the previous owner had left me with a used one I obtained from a 1 yr later parts car and it doesn't fit (after a 3hr effort to get the old one off)! The replacement that I have came from a 81 engine and is about 3/4" shorter in depth than the one that was coming off. It is short enough that the pickup from the pump bottoms out on the pan before the flange contacts the block. I guess I will be cleaning up the old pan, banging out a few dents and hopefully be able to bribe one of our companies' welders to patch the tear.

Also, once I removed the oil pump, I found several pieces of the red gasket sealant the PO used over zealously in the pick-up screen, is there a way to flush this debris out? I have collected all that I could see but I want to make sure it is all gone. Also is sealant necessary? If so what do you all recommend?

Finally, I have heard many times that you are not an official 'Fiat mechanic / owner' until you replace a starter. Having gone through the process of getting the old pan off and half way through getting a new pan on, I think this process should qualify you a well. At this point, I would be quite happy to catch a starter in the face and lose some knuckle skin, as not to have to contort my body to re-install the oil pump inside the pan AGAIN!

[narfire]

I remember doing that as a 19 year old kid with my 70 spider. Ended cutting a 13mm in half to get at the two bolts holding the pump pickup. I think your time frame was quite quick compared to my first attempt. I was lucky I was a skinny kid(were'nt we all) and could get my arms in there. Thought about draining the pan,heat to clean and JB weld? or too many dings?
Not sure about sizes though, all mine are 2L

[4babycar]

Thanks for the support and I hope you never have to do it again (me too). The pan is only slightly dented so that isn't too bad. I can hammer those out pretty easily. The small tear will be a quick weld fix for our welders and I think I can bribe them with a "Cheezy Western" (For those of you not from the "South" a cheezy western is a hamburger with egg and yellow relish, eaten for breakfast). That is the usual charge, pretty cheap. I would prefer to to that to JB weld but it does require that I wait until Monday or Tuesday to get it done. Other than than the frustration of the whole matter and taking up the driveway, it isn't such a big deal that I can't drive her. I sprained my ankle and can't press the brake hard enough to stop so she is safer on jack stands in the driveway for now. BTW, both of these pans were from 2L engines too.

[So Cal Mark]

all of the 2L pans are the same, it sounds like one of yours is from an 1800

[4babycar]

Mark, could you give me an idea which is which? Is it possible to put an 1800 pan on a 2L block and is there an advantage? Both of these pans were attached to 2L engines, one in the car that I have and the replacement on an engine that I saw removed from a parts car. It seems to be bottoming out on the pump so that would indicate to me that one of the two engines has a different pump as well. I am just trying to figure out if I have a different pump as well, just in case I need to replace it in the future. I would assume that with the greater depth pan that I would need a pump with a longer pickup.

Finally, I didn't hear any suggestions for flushing the pump or recommendations on the gasket sealant. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

[4babycar]

Ok, got the pan welded today! It isn't beautiful but it is functional. The PO had braised with brass and then coated in fiberglass resin so it took some work to even get it to weld. Too many thunderstorms and major downpours to work outside tonight so it looks like it will have to wait another day.

I still haven't heard any recommendations about flushing the oil pump and if/what gasket sealant should I use. I know someone has an opinion and I would love to hear it.

[htchevyii]

[quote="4babycar"]Ok, got the pan welded today! It isn't beautiful but it is functional. The PO had braised with brass and then coated in fiberglass resin so it took some work to even get it to weld. Too many thunderstorms and major downpours to work outside tonight so it looks like it will have to wait another day.

I still haven't heard any recommendations about flushing the oil pump and if/what gasket sealant should I use. I know someone has an opinion and I would love to hear it.[/quote
I took mine apart and cleaned/inspected it. I cleaned it in carb dip, then rinsed it with brakeclean. Then I prelubed it with STP, it's nice and thick and seems to make the pump prime quickly.