I know this has probably been covered a lot but I was having trouble finding the info I was looking for, I’ll start with my whole story so bear with me. I have a small shop that I work out of in Texas on our family ranch and when I’m not working on our ranch or equipment I’m working on other peoples stuff this is not for advertisement or anything like that just other peoples experiences and advise and I’m always on forums but this is my first time signing up so I hope it’* a great experience as y’all a posts have always helped me a lot. I work on everything from Polaris ranger engines to tractors and skid steers and in a perfect world would only do 6.0 Powerstroke’* just because I have the tools and knowlege and own a few but to the task at hand a friend of me brought a Cadillac DTS 4.6 v8 and he loves the car but had to park it because anyone could trace his steps it leaked so much oil and even though he received quotes to remove the engine from several places he wanted to fix it and didn’t choose me because of price just because where we live there aren’t many good shops at all and not many experienced techs. I have never taken on one of these but love to do new jobs because I could get a dozer engine to rebuild tomorrow or an oil change in a lawnmower the next day just because where I recently moved I’m he only one that’* convienient and trustworthy apparently from what I hear. I told my friend I’ve never done one of these engines oil pan reseal jobs but I’d be willing to look at it and even though it looks like a horrible job I thought not only is it not that bad but that it could be done in the car. I’m sure this goes completely against the service manual but I have more tools than most shops please don’t try to get a list I’ve just spent way too much on quality tools because this is what I do every single day all week and stay so busy I’ll wear out any tool you hand me lol. I got the pan out of the caddy without removing tranny or engine or both and only lowered subframe but being an 09 DTS I cannot locate the oil manifold between the pan and main web. I don’t want to replace the pan gasket without resealing the plate or manifold between the pan and block and wanted to see if anyone else has tackled this. And I am aware that leaks could pop up in other places that GM May or may not have updated but so I don’t need a northstar lecture just some personal experience or techniques that worked to permanently fix the leaks and source the adapter because for peace of mind even if the fix is the ac Delco sealant I’d prefer to replace the plate or manifold. This is the first of this specific engine I’ve had to do this to and would like to get it done right and can get the manifold out of the car no problem since the pan is out of the way. I just can’t find much on people providing info, torque specs, and solutions on an 09 engine. I am aware this is a lot to read but I’m just looking for honest answers even if it’* “I tried and had to remove engine to properly fix” type of situations and if that’* the case just tell why. Most info I can find is peoples experience with dealers like my buddy who scare them lol anyone have any experience with these engines that could chime in would be greatly a big help to me and apparently many others.

A question?

Well yes was just looking for others experiences go back and read the post instead of skimming for a question mark

I think this is the question. Are we talking about the oil pickup or the pan gasket?

QuintenWGR, just to let you know: We all volunteer to do this in our free time. That having been said, it is difficult to go through all of this:

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. . . to get to this:

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. . . and then only hope we are correct. If you could summarize, that would help. Throwing all of the work on us and then ridiculing anyone here for not wanting to dig to a guess won't get you very far. Remember, you are asking us for help. You even say it yourself:

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If I guessed right, please feel free to answer and we can keep a dialogue going and get you figured out. If not, please give a quick summary and we'll do our best to get the issue figured out. Either way, my advice is that you'll attract more free online assistance by helping us help you, than you will by doing anything like Post #3 .

I know y’all do this for free I’ve been reading on the forums for years and have read much longer posts lol. Anyways my entire reason for posting is because I was having trouble finding the oil manifold that goes between the bed plate and oil pan on an 09 4.6 northstar and was looking for others experiences in resealing them and correct procedure etc..

Was not trying to ridicule anyone was simply saying to just read the post I’m sure I could’ve made it wayyyy shorter but was trying to be thorough so I didn’t get replies like I see all over the place on some forums not necessarily this one in particular like don’t mess with or sell the car or remove the engine or give up. Even if it’* already been discussed and the info I’m looking for is here I was having trouble finding what I needed, even a point in the right direction would be appreciated. And to be more specific the plate I’m looking at on the bottom of the engine has all the main bolts pass through it but it’* mounted below the main girdle not sure if I need to be more specific so let me know if there’* any confusion

99.9% of them are shorter. You and most other posters understand what you are asking, but we have to dig it out of your post. When it is unclear, we will ask for clarification.



. . . is not clarification.



. . . adds insult to this . . . as if the folks that you are coming to for help are being too lazy for your taste.



If your post were: . . . you might have a leg to stand on, however, your first choice of reply would still get you crickets.



We're here to help, but sometimes we need you to help us help you. We are assisting with complex mechanical operations from a keyboard on the far side of the internet, and often with only text to describe the issue. If we don't understand your post, large or otherwise, throwing us right back at it probably isn't going to work. Most of us would rather not answer at all than spend a bunch of time and posts sorting out what is being asked in the first place.



Your first post said: Take this advice and it will have better odds of being a great experience.

You're talking about the lower half of the block that is between the upper half and the pan, right?

If so, this is not something you re-seal while the engine is in the car. It holds bearing inserts etc. The only way I've seen this done is on a bench or stand.

Is it leaking?

I am not talking about the lower half of block with main bearings in it there’* like a 1/4” thick plate that seems to be called an oil manifold between the main girdle and the oil pan and the car is leaking from there and the pan bad. I was looking to replace that “manifold” if possible or at least reseal and specifically was asking for anyone else’* experience doing so and if anyone has the torque specs, part numbers, procedures, etc any info at all pertaining to this. I am sorry if that wasn’t clear I thought I had solidly clarified what I was looking for after getting bagged on for a long post lol. Like I said just trying to be thorough so I didn’t have to answer the same question over and over that’* all and I apologize if somehow I have offended anyone like I said I’ve been a long term reader first time poster and I’ve read lots of long posts and more info usually helped me even if it took a bit to read. That’* all but if I’m still not being clear enough just say so and I’ll keep trying to describe what I’m talking about but once again the lower crankcase half is NOT leaking just the plate at the bottom. It’* where a windahe tray would normally be on an older GM V8