Hole in oil pan

[HJG]

Thought I'd share this one with you all. Last year at Goodwood I hit a sharp rock on the track into the campsite. As I was going on track the next day, I checked the oil in the morning and it was empty! Rolled the car back to find the grass beneath saturated in oil. We got the car in the air and found a crease with a pinhole on the trailing edge of the sump. Managed to put a self tapping screw into it, and sealed it all up. It has been bone-dry for a year (barely driven) but several weeks ago the sealant failed and the oil leaked out once more - fortunately not whilst driving it.

Removed the oil pan last weekend. Not a difficult job:
Disconnect battery
Get car in air (most difficult part)
Remove starter motor
Remove dipstick
Drain remaining oil and remove filter
Unbolt steering idler arm to drop the linkage for clearance
Remove all oil pan nuts
Withdraw oil pan from underneath

Turns out it's an original oil pan, but it's on studs which I don't believe it original but will make install slightly easier.

Will get this tig welded and repainted. Any recommendations for a good tig welder in Sussex welcome!

 

[Roscobbc]

Not too sure if I'd want to risk having that welded=up so close to the tapping for the drain plug......wouldn't you do better sourcing a new or good used replacment?

 

[HJG]

I'm not concerned about it - the sump plug goes into that large welded nut.
Unfortunately replacements are extremely rare. GM stopped making them several years ago.
It's an original pan so at least I know it works and fits.