First question would be, does the pan really need replacing?

Is the dent in the front, or on the bottom?

If in the bottom, how deep?

BTW, I'm fairly sure you can pull the pan without pulling the engine.
You may want to make a work-party out of it and do the timing belts
and water pump whilke you have the front of the engine exposed.

Dave

Hi Ken!

Don't know that I'd mess with it unless it was leaking badly, or so
severe that it was interfering with the pick-up tube (oil light
flickering?).

You will need to un-do both motor mounts, the engine "snubber", and
the exhaust, and lift the engine as far as possible to get the oil pan
loose. It's tough to do a good job while lying on your back, and
typically everything in that vicinity is pretty dirty. You may
determine that it is worth the extra effort to go ahead and pull the
engine (really a pretty straight-forward task). In this event, service
the timing belt, idlers, water pump, and oil pump while you have it
out; it's way easier.

If you have an AT equipped car, and decide to remove the engine, you
will want to take special precautions with the torque converter. Email
me if you get to this point, and I'll tell you all about it.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101