Is changing the oil pan gasket on a 99 Park Ave a big deal, or just a matter of undoing some bolts? And is there anything else in there that should be changed at the same time?

Thanks

Yup thats it. Remove the bolts, drop the pan and done.

Nothing else maintenance wise needs to be done besides that.

Drain the oil
Remove the oil level sensor
Remove the pan.
Otherwise the level sensor will likely break as it sits directly above the pickup tube.

Bill, I can only think of one time I actually removed the pan while the engine was still installed in the car. That was many years ago, so my memory may have eluded me. If the sensor is still installed, will the sub-frame cause havoc while dropping the pan? I have removed the pan more times while the engine is out, but have never had problems with the sensor getting in the way.

Is the sensor an obvious widget sticking out of the oil pan? I haven't been underneath yet to have a peek.

Yes it is. It has wires going to it.

There seems to be 2 gaskets listed in the auto parts online shops - a plain composite gasket (about 10 bucks) that they refer to as "performance only" and a plastic looking thing that has holes and slots and rubber goo on it (about $40). Why would there be 2 for the same motor?

Thanks

I guess the same reason why you see several different priced loaves of bread at the store.

Stick with the $40 gasket. Easier to install and can be re-used.

I've never found more than one gasket listed.

On the level sensor. What happens in an H/C/G body is the pan needs to come nearly straight down. The level sensor sits directly above the pick up tube.

Trust me when I say..you need to take it off to pull the pan. I tested the theory and a few other buddies as well. You'll need a new sensor if you don't pull it.

The W body guys have it much worse 97-03 with that horseshoe mount in the way.

Hang on. Yes, there are two different oil pan gaskets. One has the plastic cover built in to it. The other is just a gasket. It will depend on the oil pan you have. Steel pans have the plastic gasket, aluminum has that part built in to the pan and only needs the gasket.