DeTomaso Mailing List: April 99, Message #149

In a message dated 4/5/99 12:09:51 PM, asajay@concentric.net writes:

<< In most cases, I have found you will need to drop the pan at the front in 
order to get the little tabs on the back of the cover in underneath the block 
just above the oil pan.....  Have you honestly had better luck Jack?  If so, 
please let me in on the
secret. >>

Yup; what I do is, I cut the little trouble-making tabs off the seal ends, 
then put a small spot of RTV at each corner of the pan/block to replace the 
tabs. Then I position the cover & seal against the pan.  Using my #1 Ford 
tool (a 16" screwdriver), I pry down on the cover against the rubber pan seal 
while pushing in with my hand against the cover. The cover slips right in on 
the two position-pins, and the spots of RTV restore the seal at the corners 
and maybe lubricate the pieces sliding past each other. Wipe off the excess & 
bolt up. First two times I did this to change cams, I loosened the two bigger 
front pan bolts, but I don't bother with that anymore.  Works for me....  
Cheers- J dRyke