oil pan

[terryb]

hey guys, got a problem I could use some advice on. awhile back my oil pan was leaking between the pan and skid plate at the spot welds. I removed the skid plate and epoxied the spots inside and out. this worked for about a year but now the epoxy is peeling away on the outside and its leaking again. my question is, should I try and weld the spots or does anyone know of a good sealer that will hold.  secondly I'm planning on rebuilding my tranny this winter because of the second gear chatter and was wondering if the tranny removal is easier with the oil pan off like it is now?  thanks for all replays.  
Terry

[garage gnome]

I would weld the spot welds then give the oil pan a thorough cleaning to get the slag out. Easiest way to remove the transmission is to remove the 4 bolts that hold it to the bell housing.

[bretto]

If you plan on pulling the tranny with the engine left in, you'll probably want the pan on.  This is so you have something to put a block of wood on when supporting it from underneath.
If you pull the drive train all together, you still might want the pan on so that when you drop it down to the ground, it has something to rest on.