Rear main seal job on my 71 Coupe Deville:
I'm following my 71 FSM and after removing the starter, center link and exhaust the oil pan cannot be removed. I also remove the timing cover because
I am replacing the timing set as well. I disconnected the oil pickup tube as well. No change.

Are there any tricks to getting this oil pan down or is it simply a matter of raising the engine slightly? The FSM does not mention this.

Thanks!

 

Well I reckon I'll answer my own post. The solution after a fair amount of head scratching was to unbolt the transmission mount and lift the transmission about a 1/2 inch. The oil pan slipped right out after that.

 

Well done. I'd have expected to have to lift the engine. Nice to know that isn't required.