Oil pan drop on 2015 Ram 5.7 4x4 to get oil pump off

[sawz]

I'm having a heck of a time removing the oil pan. Just want to drop it down enough to get the oil pump off so I can set up my timing for the cam swap.

I followed the instructions on getting the oil pump off without dropping the pan. I was able to get the pick up tube bolt out on my 2015 Ram 4x4 5.7, a little dental floss tied to the bolt made easy removal.

BUT, I can't get the tube to push down out of the way enough to get the oil pump off. Twisting the oil pump as much as I can and the other side hits the pan and won't move forward. Seems I'm stuck dropping the pan. All this to get my timing set up for the cam swap!

Now on to the question at hand. The rear end of the oil pan is covered by a bracket on the front of the transmission. Looks to be held on with 5 or so bolts and appears it should drop off separate from the transmission. Assuming this is the torque converter cover? Am I correct that it should drop out separately from the transmission?

 

[Brandon-w]

Why remove the punp for the timing??
Just line up the dots on the Gears and you should be good?

 

[sawz]

Why remove the punp for the timing??
Just line up the dots on the Gears and you should be hood?

The crank "dot" is at 6 o'clock and is covered by the oil pump so I don't think there's a way to see it without removing the oil pump.

 

[Brandon-w]

I used a straight edge and marked directly across the gear so when it's vertical you're on the money.

Also i always hand crank it a couple times to make sure you don't have clearance issues. Seen way too many guys hop in crank it and don't have a push rod seated or timing off and smack a valve and have to do the project twice.

 

[rayrmjet]

I used an old lower timing chain gear, made a 3/16 X 3/16 pin tapered on the end, slid the gear on and used the pin to line up with the alignment key up and then when timing mark was at the 6 o'clock I marked behind the oil pump on the gear and the block where the mark lines up. worked great for crank TDC also, when you said the bolt in the tube did you mean the one at the oil pump or about center of the tube, also you would to remove the bellhousing bracket to drop the pan

 

[sawz]

The bolt in the end of the tube where it attaches to the oil pump. Thanks for confirming I need to drop the bell housing bracket.