Hey Rick!
This didn't happen on the way back from the OCC meeting did it? Sorry to hear it happened. Luckily it's an easy fix.
I had the pan off my Cleveland a couple months back in order to install a windage tray - nothing to it.
No issues with the tranny at all, nor other obstacles. All you have to do is remove the bolts down each side and lower the pan (slight tug to break the seal may be necessary). Install is reverse.
Some things to look for / keep in mind however:
The forward-most and rear-most bolts on each side (the four corners) were slightly larger than all the others on mine. Check this while removeing and if this is the case with yours as well, be sure to set them aside separate from the rest so they go back in in the correct locations.
Be sure to remove ALL the old gasket and seal material from both mating surfaces - pan and block. A razor blade scraper works fine, as would a small gasket scraper. Don't re-use the old gasket, but be sure to specify a Cleveland gasket when getting your replacement. It will come in four pieces. Look closely at the two long side gaskets, they are different and are specific to each side of the pan. The whole job isn't really difficult to do, but it can be a pain trying to do it by yourself on the floor under the car.
If you choose to pull a main cap, torque the bolts to 100-105 ft lbs on re-installation.
Sorry, but I don't know enough (yet) about the
oil pump to give you any suggestions.
As long as you have the pan off, you might want to consider installing a windage tray (assuming there is not already one there). It would mean the car sitting for another week or so waiting for the tray to arrive, but they are easy to put in, especially if the
oil pan is already off, and are a rather inexpensive means of gaining 5-10 HP.
Good Luck,
Keith
P.S. Any info on those cam specs?
Thanks