Removing the Oil Pan

• 1). Detach the ground (black) battery cable using a wrench.
  
  
• 2). Pull out the engine oil dipstick, move it aside and cover the dipstick tube with a clean shop towel.
  
  
• 3). Lift the front end of your Dodge using a floor jack and support it on jack stands.
  
  
• 4). Place a large drain pan under the engine oil pan and remove the drain plug using a wrench. Allow the oil to drain completely and replace the drain plug using the wrench. Then remove the drain pan from under the vehicle.
  
  
• 5). Detach the exhaust cross-over pipe using a breaker bar, ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
  
  
• 6). Unfasten and remove the left engine-to-transmission strut using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
  
  
• 7). Unscrew the oil pan mounting bolts using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Then remove the oil pan from the engine. If the pan seems stuck, tap the side of the pan with a rubber mallet.
  
  

Installing the New Oil Pan

• 1). Remove all traces of old gasket sealant from the gasket mating surface under the engine. Use a plastic scraper, solvent and a clean shop towel.
  
  
• 2). Apply a light coat of RTV silicone sealer to the new pan gasket and set the gasket in place on the oil pan.
  
  
• 3). Apply RTV silicone sealer where the oil pan cork gasket meets the front and rear rubber seals on the engine block.
  
  
• 4). Set the new oil pan in under the engine block. Hold it in place with one hand and use the other hand to install the pan mounting bolts finger-tight using the ratchet extension and socket.
  
  
• 5). Tighten the oil pan-mounting bolts evenly and gradually to 15-ft-lbs. (20 Nm) using a torque wrench. Follow a crisscross pattern when tightening the bolts.
  
  
• 6). Install the left engine-to-transmission strut using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
  
  
• 7). Attach the exhaust cross-over pipe using the breaker bar, ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
  
  
• 8). Lower your Dodge using the floor jack.
  
  
• 9). Replace the oil dipstick into its tube.
  
  
• 10
  
  Attach the ground (black) battery cable using the wrench.
  
  
• 11
  
  Refill the engine with the amount and type of oil for your particular Dodge 3500 model and check the oil pan for leaks.