I need oil pan/oil level schooling.

[my427cobra]

Hi all. I need some help determining how much oil to run in my new oil pan, how long the oil dipstick should be, and where the dipstick should be marked for FULL/LOW. Here are the details.

I bought a new t-shaped oil pan for my 351 Cleveland. It is 8 ¼” deep.

2 quarts of fluid = 1” deep.
4 quarts of fluid = 2” deep.
6 quarts of fluid = 3” deep.
7 quarts of fluid = 3 ¾” deep, and brings me to the bottom of the windage tray.

6 quarts would bring me ¾” below the windage tray. The oil pump/pick-up would displace at least a quart I think raising the oil level back up to the windage tray again, so maybe 5 quarts to start?

So how much oil should I start with in the pan?
Where should I mark “LOW” on the dipstick? 1 quart down? 2 quarts down?

Other details: I am running a dual oil filter system using “shorty” filters and an oil cooler. I will pre-fill the filters and cooler and I’m assuming 2 quarts for the filters, coolers and ½” lines.

Any advice?

Thanks
Greg

[Quik289]

First be sure your oil pickup on the oil pump is matched to the pan, picking up oil from the deepest part of the sump (front or rear as the case may be). Then check what the pan manufacturer says is the pan capacity. I was getting ready to fill my "T" pan with oil for the first time and wondered how much, then saw the manufacturer calls it a seven quart pan (eight with filter). Oil came right up to the full mark on the dipstick. (I realize you may not have fitted dipstick yet).

[my427cobra]

Thanks Quik289. My pick-up will be about 1/2" from the bottom of the pan. I'll check again to see if the manufacturer specified the pan capacity.

Greg

[my427cobra]

I checked the specs and it's an 8 qt pan. Sounds like too much. 8 qts will be about a 1/2' above the windage tray plus whatever the pump and pick-up displaces.
I think I'll start with 6 or 7 and go from there.

Greg

[mr0077]

With the pan off, put the dipstick into the tube and mark it about 1/2" below the low point of the windage tray (someone else weigh in if that is too close or too far below the tray). Then, when you install the pan, measure how much oil it takes to fill it to that mark. Fire it up and let it fill the system, shut off and check...top off as needed and keep track of the total amount of oil. That should prevent overfilling and keep the pickup submerged for normal running.

[FWB]

i don't think 1\2 inch above the windage tray is a problem.
remember there is little to no oil floating around in the motor with it sitting in the garage. the second you spin the motor it drops......at no time with the engine running will it ever be above the windage tray.
i like my oil pump pickup closer to the bottom than 1\2 inch

[my427cobra]

Thanks for all the tips guys. On closer measurement, my pick-up will be about 1/4" to 3/8" from the bottom of the pan.

Now to decide on the pan gasket material:
Don't like the looks of the flimsey FelPro blue "paper" gasket.

I'll look for cork/rubber or nitrile.

Greg