im looking at a 98 24 valve and it needs a oil pan gasket. so my question is how easie is it to replace. ive done an older ford befor and you had lift the engine to get to it. so i really dont know if i would want to go through the trouble of buying a truck that i have to remove the engine of.

 

Before replacing the oil pan gasket, check to make sure the bollts have been re-tightened, they do and will loosen off,and tightening them will stop a leak. also most diagnoise an oil pan leak especially if leaking on the drv side, the vacuum pump seal will leak and so does the lifter cover (big cover on the side of the engine), both will run down over the oil pan gasket giving the appearence of a leaking oil pan gasket