Allis 170 gas

A friend of mine has an allis 170 with a four cylinder gas engine. Motor is leaking oil from the front of the oil pan. I can see that there was a string of silicone like material there. I assume that someone had pematexed that area and it did not hold.

It would seem to me like I should remove the oil pan and put new gaskets all around. I can get to all the bolts if I remove the starter.

My question is the following; If I remove the oil pan and put new gaskets around it, is there a chance that the oil pump would lose it's prime and I would need to remove the distributor and restablish oil pressure with a drill and the required tool? Or is it ok to put the oil pan back with new gaskets and the aproximate torque. Put in new oil and filter and start the motor.

Can anybody tell me what to expect or what would be proper?

Thanks,

Mike

I have thought about it, but was looking for confirmation from an expert.

I did not think that it would be a problem, but remeber a friend from high school that had a 68 Caddy with a 472 motor. Every time we changed oil, the pump would lose it's prime. I do not know why, but it was a real pain.

I have never dropped a pan before unless doing an overhaul, and spinning the oil pump through the dist. is part of the assembly process.

I guess it is POSSIBLE to have some sort of air lock in the assembly.

I will do the repair and start the motor carefully to see if there is oil pressure.

Thanks again guys.

Just an amateur mechanic,

Mike

Go ahead and fix the gaskets, you'll be glad you're rid of the irritation. The oil pump should keep its prime if you don't take it off, and if you did take it off it would more than likely prime itself in a few seconds even if you didn't prime or grease it.