Is it possible to remove the sump with the front end removed? im having difficulty getting the sump off and when looking at spare series 3 engine it appears that the rear main seal holder has two torx head bolts screwing into the back of the sump, if im correct i can not remove the sump pan?

 

Its been too long, and I will look at the spare 4.2 in the shed tomorrow.

The rear crank seal is held in 2 half moon castings, and the 2 castings are held together with 2 torx setscrews, the upper half is secured to teh block with 3? setscrews, and have nothing to do with the sump attachment.

The lower half of that seal "housing" has a groove in it that a section of the actual sump gaskets sits into, lower half moon following the contour of that lowersection, and the cut out in the sump, thats it.

To get that sump off, and back on without leakage, the suspension needs lowering, or the engine out.

 

A friend (Bill Cooper) used an engine support purchased from Harbor Freight to support the engine while lowering the front subframe.
The he disconnected the shocks, rear mounts, etc, and let the front end swing down on the front mounts. By doing it that way, he didn't have to drop the entire front end.
(In the photos you'll see it's a XJ12, but the 6 is the same idea)..

You shouldn't have any problems removing the sump..

David
shop.everydayxj.com

 

It's easier if the car is on a 'lift' so the front subframe can pivot on the front mounts and swing vertical. The pan bolts can be removed and then lowered.

I haven't done one in about 2 decades but I remember it is a greasy, messy job and your shirt will likely get stained.

bob

 

sub frame removed

 

Yep, the memory is preserved, HA.

The sump "simply" lifts off and the rear seal "housing unit" stays in place.

Fraser is spot on, dirty is NOT the word, you will enjoy this task for sure.

A decent hose down with degreaser and a garden hose usually cleans up the situation, and I mean YOU, not the car.