[DeTomaso] 10 Quart Oil Pan & Removeable X-Member

[Julian Kift]

Michael


1.  Is there a step by step guide available to do this?

Tom Di Ulio wrote: [Then mount the new removable member with "nut serts" 
(spelling?). they
are basically threaded inserts that fit the hole you'll drill to install
them. I got all my components from dennis quella at pantera performance
center. It all worked as advertised.]

My removable x-member was from PPC Reno and simply bolted in to the 
frontward lower A-Arm carrier, no drilling required, so it sounds like there 
are variants on the design. The Byers chassis strengthening kit has a much 
larger piece that uses both the A-Arm lower carriers as a mounting and is 
probably much sturdier.

2.  Are there alternatives to the oil pan gasket ( including brands ) that 
are superior?

Whatever brand you end up with, you'll likely have annoying oil drips on 
your garage floor within a week! It's damn difficult to move around in 
there, if not nigh impossible to set everything up straight and get it 
sealed properly lying on your back on a garage floor.

3.  Is there a drawing of the E Brqke bracket that must be removed-changed,

It's fairly obvious once you get under there, I have some photos on my home 
computer I'll send tonight. Again I think the replacement designs do differ 
slightly depending on vendor. Mine went full across between the chassis, 
just take some time to align it for correct operation prior to drilling and 
mounting.

6.  If I'm not smoking, is it really worth pulling the bearings out to have 
a look?

If you are that far into it, pull at least one main bearing cap for piece of 
mind. It's worth checking the oil pump and driveshaft too, as you have them 
out anyway to mount the new oil strainer/pick up. In fact not knowing my 
motors history I went and spent the $70 for a high volume pump anyway.

7. Anything I left out?

As mentioned previously to obtain the correct angle (from under the car) to 
mount the pan over the oil pump pick up I had to enlarge (on one side by 
about 1/4") the hole in the baffle. For anyone considering this mod I 
recommend the baffle be cut even if the motor is out of the car as you may 
want to remove the oil pan with the motor in the car one day!

I was told that this was about a 2.5 hour job if one were alone on the 
garage floor.

By the time you prepare, cut the x-member out clean up the surfaces and coat 
them etc. your 2.5 hrs plus will be gone. Add another 3.5 to remove the old 
pan, clean the mating surfaces, offer up the new one and bolt it up, then 
you can drill and add the e-brake and bolt in the x-member.

Julian

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