2001 trans am, need some help

[dusterbd13]

im definately new to late model f-bodys. fairly familiar with the LS platform due to trucks and corvettes though. im not a wizard by ANY stretch of the imagination. my primary wrenching has always been muscle cars, GM TBI trucks, and wiring.

anyway, my brother has a 2001 trans am WS6. automatic if that makes any difference.

we need to do some service work to this thing, and i have it scheduled to fill up a bay in my shop next week.

he needs an oil pan gasket, tune up, and a few other things that i cant think of right now. im trying to help him out due to him being my brother and his current life troubles, and not put much money ito these repairs.

the two biggest questions i have right now are:
1. how do i change the pan gasket on this thing? it almost looks like i have to pull the motor, but there has to be another way. ive got a 4 post drive on lift, so i can get under it really easy.
2. how do i change the rear two plugs? i cant even see the dang things. looks like id have to go in from under the dash....

so, any advice you can send my way would be greatly appreciated. hes owned this car since new, and its pretty much all he got out of the divorce. id like to help him keep it going a little longer.



and i did try google and the search, but i never could find anythiong that really showed me what i was looking for. the whole searching thing is tough for me due to all the specific nomenclature, etc that every forum has.

Michael

[1973Firebird01]

Michael,
The oil pan gasket will be the harderst part of the whole thing. You will either have to pull the motor or let it continue to leak. I've had had the motor our of my 01 WS6 3 times and it's actually very easy if you have a lift and some help. I can get mine out in about 3 hours, the key is taking it out through the top. It is alot of work but easy if you have the tools and some patience. The 2 plugs you're taking about are not so bad, the very back one can be reached from under the car and takes about 5 minutes, the 2nd from the rear is a different story. This plug is a pain in the backside, the best way to get this is with a 3/8 stubby ratchet and a 3/8 x 1/2in long extension, this will give you just enough room to turn the ratchet to get the plug out. The bad part is you can't see it from the bottom or the top. If the car still has the egr pipe on it take that off and slide your arm in through the front up to almost your elbow and you'll feel it. If you're like me than you'll be pretty scratched up by the time you get it done, total time on that plug has taken me anywhere from 30min to 90min, take your time with it. If you pull the motor then of course that is the best time to change them.
To pull that motor through the top side
remove the tranny, all accessories to include water pump and balancer (so it's just the timing cover left), unbolt exhaust(from the heads), remove starter, remove wiring, remove intake, remove radiator w/fans, and hook up your lifting chain. Remove the motor mount bolts pull straight up till the crank snout is close to the rad support, turn it slightly and it's out.
It sounds alot harder than what it really is but that is the only way to get the pan off to replace the gasket. I personally would check the pan bolts first you might get lucky.
Good luck