Oil pan dent

[rsessoms]

I’m working on the front half of the 1958 Farmall 130 and trying to get the bodywork looking better.
The oil pan has a huge dent from where a cultivator probably jumped up and hit it. How’s the best way to fix this?
I’m no bodywork pro or even close, but try to get it as close as possible and use very little filler.
I have seen where they use heat and then massage it and then cool it and then keep repeating the process so it doesn’t weaken the pan? It’s pretty thick stuff.

 

[JD Dave]

You're going to have to remove the pan and start by pushing out the dent from the inside. Avoid using heat. Work on it with a wooden block and hammer or put it in a press. The goal is to avoid shrinking or stretching the metal.

 

[Duner Wi]

I use a tree stump and a ball peen hammer. A thousand smaller hits are better than a few big wallops.

 

[rsessoms]

Totally forgot about using the press.
Thank you.

I use a tree stump and a ball peen hammer. A thousand smaller hits are better than a few big wallops.

 

[Stephen Newell]

I’m working on the front half of the 1958 Farmall 130 and trying to get the bodywork looking better.
The oil pan has a huge dent from where a cultivator probably jumped up and hit it. How’s the best way to fix this?
I’m no bodywork pro or even close, but try to get it as close as possible and use very little filler.
I have seen where they use heat and then massage it and then cool it and then keep repeating the process so it doesn’t weaken the pan? It’s pretty thick stuff.

I imagine the pan off a tractor is heavier than what is on a car. I usually lay something like that on a concrete floor and pound it out with a hammer. A tractor pan you may need a small sledge hammer. If it's where you can't get a good swing with a hammer you might put a small piece of pipe or a piece of hardwood on the dent to hammer it. If you have a torch where you can heat it, it will probably hammer out easier. You will have to use some fiberglass filler on it but if it's more than 1/4" thick use filler with glass strands in it. It won't be as likely to crack.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Using a block of wood will give less distortion as you knock the dent out. I would refrain from using the hammer directly to the pan it will make small dings that will show and make for a lot of work to make it smooth. A 4x4 about a foot long and a heavy hammer 3-4 pound will work well for your job. Remember you don't have to hit it as hard with the bigger hammer to make the tin move. also gives less problems. And if you have a press by all means use it that will give the least dings because you can adjust things as you go easier.