Avanti R-1 crank-case

[Hawklover]

I have owned my Avanti since 1966. From 1966 to 1997 I never remember replacing front motor mounts. In this time frame the crank case was undented and basically maintained the original shape as when new. In 1997 the engine and 4-speed trans were removed to effectuate a complete rebuild. Upon taking possession of the car, the crank case still maintained its original shape. This past November I changed the rear brakes , wheel cylinders, and did a LOF. Man was I surprised when I looked at the crank-case and stymied over the condition of the pan.........it now is pushed in, as if someone jacked up the engine to fit new front motor mounts??..............man would I like to know how the pan got that way??????????

[StudeRich]

So from 1997 to 2023 NO ONE has worked on that car, that required raising it off the floor ?
A four speed Avanti even if fairly conservatively driven, would have a torn Left Front Engine Mount by quite a few years ago.

However that doesn't explain the smashed Oil Pan, "people" raise both Cars and Engines from there, more often than you may think.

[Jeffry Cassel]

You will want to repair this because the bottom of the pan can , if pushed in lke this, compromise the oil pump pick up thus starving the pump and engine of oil. It isn't too bad if you don't mind a little engine oil in your hair.

[Bud]

It's not uncommon to see a dented oil pan. I've seen it many times on different engines. Like Rich says, it can happen from someone putting a floor jack in the wrong place or hitting something while driving the car. Bud

[Hawklover]

So from 1997 to 2023 NO ONE has worked on that car, that required raising it off the floor ?
A four speed Avanti even if fairly conservatively driven, would have a torn Left Front Engine Mount by quite a few years ago.

However that doesn't explain the smashed Oil Pan, "people" raise both Cars and Engines from there, more often than you may think.

LOL, yes Rich the car has indeed been worked on, and always up on a lift. And as I mentioned, never replaced front motor mounts. Now I would imagine that the shop (well known Stude work) that pulled the engine and trans would have seen if in fact I needed an engine front mount, and even if so, the engine and trans were out of the car, so its a mystery to me. And yes, the look bothers me, but structurally, I would imagine the oil pan is not in a disintegrated state requiring replacement. I do know that R-1 oil pans are are very rare parts to obtain in 2024.

[Hawklover]

You will want to repair this because the bottom of the pan can , if pushed in lke this, compromise the oil pump pick up thus starving the pump and engine of oil. It isn't too bad if you don't mind a little engine oil in your hair.

Well Jeff, I will say the car maintains excellent oil pressure and have no issues with as you say "oil starvation" Even if I had the opportunity, and place to remove the pan, I do not see how I could just pop out the inside to return the pan to its original shape?

[Hawklover]

It's not uncommon to see a dented oil pan. I've seen it many times on different engines. Like Rich says, it can happen from someone putting a floor jack in the wrong place or hitting something while driving the car. Bud

Well I guess at this point its just a matter of conjecture as to how this occurred. The last thing I want to think about is replacing the crank-case;-(

[WCP]

I would guess that during the engine removal while lifting the engine to near vertical, something slipped and allowed the pan to strike the steering gear in its full lock position. Having the pan pushed in, if not impeding oil pickup, will eventually reduce oil level or increase frothing, both of which can raise oil temperature!

[Hawklover]

I would guess that during the engine removal while lifting the engine to near vertical, something slipped and allowed the pan to strike the steering gear in its full lock position. Having the pan pushed in, if not impeding oil pickup, will eventually reduce oil level or increase frothing, both of which can raise oil temperature!

Well the aforementioned work was done back in 1997, and I've not experienced any issues. That being said, if the oil temp did rise, I would have no way of knowing, nor would I know if the oil was being as you said, 'frothing' As to oil level, I change the oil once per year, even if the car only see's a few hundred miles.

[WCP]

The other possibility is that the damage occurred during the engine pads removal and replacement. The proper way to lift the engine is from above with a cherry picker. However, you have limited room before the fan hits the shroud and the emission shielding over the distributor contacts the firewall. Parts may have to be removed. In haste, I can visualize them sliding a floor jack under the engine pan rather than the bell housing to provide enough clearance for the pad studs to clear the mounts. Before others chime in to tell how easy it is to change engine mounts, this only applies to Avantis!

[jts359]

I just straighten one out on a R-2 I'm going over , The windage tray was in the way so I did some creative thinking with a 2x4 , It turned out pretty good , Ed

[Hawklover]

The other possibility is that the damage occurred during the engine pads removal and replacement. The proper way to lift the engine is from above with a cherry picker. However, you have limited room before the fan hits the shroud and the emission shielding over the distributor contacts the firewall. Parts may have to be removed. In haste, I can visualize them sliding a floor jack under the engine pan rather than the bell housing to provide enough clearance for the pad studs to clear the mounts. Before others chime in to tell how easy it is to change engine mounts, this only applies to Avantis!

The engine and trans were removed via a truck engine hoist, I have pictures.........engine and trans were pulled as a single unit. And as I said, the pan did not exhibit any damage when car returned to me.

[Hawklover]

I just straighten one out on a R-2 I'm going over , The windage tray was in the way so I did some creative thinking with a 2x4 , It turned out pretty good , Ed

Even if I had a new NOS pan, after looking what is involved in its removal/install, I moist likely would just let the pan be as it is.........its just I do not like how it looks, but there is nothing deleterious in the function and use of the car.