Oil pan crack: eek! Patch options?

[slipnfall]

Hi folks, I just hit the 500mi mark on my DE rebuild; it was time to change the oil today. I knew previously that I had a leak, and *thought* it was coming from the oil pan drain plug. I changed the oil right after getting it running and re-used the crush washer, so I attributed the leak to that.

Anyways, my oil pan is actually *cracked*, right near the drain plug. Maybe 1/4-1/3" away from the plug. It looks like where the bung may have been welded, because there's a 'dimple', opposite it. The plug area in general looks like it is 'slightly' dented in: like pressure was put on the plug. It's barely visable: just a crack in the paint. If I wipe it clean, it takes maybe 4-5 seconds before I can see the first sign of oil seepage. I'v put 2+ extra quarts of oil in, in 500mi.

Ok so I *have* another oil pan at another location, but I'm not sure on it's condition. As I understand it, pulling the pan is quite a PITA. Plus I have ZERO leaks from the pan-2-block, so I'd rather not mess w/a good thing.

Can I used some JB weld to seal it up? It's not a real high pressure spot. Would it be best to use layers, or a[several?] beads of it? Do they make a 'patch' for this sort of thing? Obviously I'd have to drain my oil really well, remove the paint, scuff the area up.

I'm just looking for suggestions on patching this w/out removing the whole pan. JB weld techniques, patch options?

Thanks greatly,-Jamie

[s13sr20chris]

ka24de oil pan a pain? the upper yeah, lower no. just get another steely bottom pan and slap her on there with some rtv. DONT try to weld on that little steely. i tried it once and i just blew holes in that thin little thing. you would need a good welder in the hands of a good weldor for that sort of thing.

[slipnfall]

the upper yeah, lower no.

By 'upper', do you mean upper years(S14?) I thought you either have to hoist the engine or remove the front cross-member(I think that's what it's called). Renting an engine hoist is a hassle for me(no other ride big enough). Can you clarify?

Yeah I have a pan at my parents' place from the original engine that was in this car, it's been sitting on a skid for sometime, being 'tossed' around. It might be in worse shape. I'll see. I was considering bringing this one to a professional weldor, someone who works on/repairs industrial equipment. Last thing I need is slag floating around in my engine.

For the time being I slapped some RTV and duct tape over the crack, it stopped the leak for now. It'll be a week or so untill I can get home to pick up my other pan. I would have tried the JB, and I still might, but I had already refilled.

Thanks Chris,-Jamie