351c Oil Pan Help

Sublime · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 10:26 PM

Hello All,

Could use a little help here, please. I have a 351c motor with a Milodon 8 qt. capacity oil pan. The pan is oversized and only sits about 3 inches above the ground.

I nailed a rock recently and dented the pan pretty good. I tried to go back to a stock pan to gain another inch or two of clearance, but can't get it to fit. I tried a Ford racing stock pan and one of those aftermarket chrome jobs. Both provided the same result.

They seem to be banging on something and I can't figure out what/why. Could it be that they're hitting the crank?

Any ideas? Could the Milodon pan somehow be different other than the sump size itself?

Much appreciated!

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 04:22 AM

Does the Milodon use a special pickup that would be larger? Maybe the pickup is hanging down too far from the block and it's bottoming out on the pan.

CobraDan · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 04:47 AM

Most after market pans have you change the oil pickup as the pickup will not sit at the proper level so if you go back to the original pickup more than likely an original oil pan will fit.

rdorman · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 05:46 AM

Ditto on the pickup. I have a road race style pan from Armondo and love it.

767Jockey · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 06:35 AM

I agree on the pickup. Another thing to check is to see if you have a windage tray. If you do it may not work with the stock pan. Alternatives are the Armondo pan and I have the Canton pan. Both are good quality pieces. Check measurements on both and see which works better for you.

Sublime · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

Does the Milodon use a special pickup that would be larger? Maybe the pickup is hanging down too far from the block and it's bottoming out on the pan.

Thanks, guys. All good info, but the p/u is definitely not the issue. I tried a stock p/u with a stock pump and no go. I even swung the p/u out of the way and tried that. Also, no windage tray installed.

I'm friggin' stumped!! I'll have to call Milodon and see if their oversized pan is shaped slightly different. There was a stock pan on this when I bought the car. I had the motor rebuilt with mild improvements. I don't recall the crank being much larger, if at all. Thanks again for your suggestions. This is such a great site!

blykins · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 08:43 AM

How far will it go before it hits?

Do you have a main cap girdle?

trularin · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 08:55 AM

I have a Canton pan. The Milodon was too low for me as well.

my capacity is 8 qts with the filter and I have a windage tray installed.

If you change your pan and you go to the Canton unit, get the pickup that fits the pan. The Milodon had a longer pickup.

I used studs for the fastners, that helped a lot in the installation.

Sublime · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

How far will it go before it hits?

Do you have a main cap girdle?

It's pretty close. I'm off by maybe a 1/4" to 1/2". Not sure if I have a main cap girdle. Wouldn't know what that is!

I just got off the phone with Milodon. They said that maybe the main cap stud is moved too far foward to accomidate the larger sump. Suggested I try moving it rearward. Sounds good in theory, but doesn't explain how it could be hitting even when I swing the p/u out of the way. I haven't messed with this for several months, so I can't remember if I tried fitting the pan w/o the p/u. I'm pretty sure I would have done that.

He also suggested going with a one piece gasket from "Fellpro". Apparently these are thicker at about 1/4". That may help, but I don't think it will solve the problem.

Worst case, I can always throw on another oversized pan, but kind of defeats what I'm trying to accomplish . . . Rock avoidance! I need that clearance.

trularin · #10 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 09:09 AM

If I may, a main cap stud does not typically move. I mean, not like it would cause this.

Do you have studs or bolts holding the mains in place? I had to trim studs on mine.

Jerry Clayton · #11 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 09:27 AM

take the oil pump and pickup completely off--see if the pan will go up
if not see if the main caps are bolts or studs, if studs are they longer than needed??

Look for scrape marks to see what is hitting

Your id says you have a cleveland--are you trying to put on a 302 or windsor pan?
Are do you have a Windsor and are trying to put on a Cleveland pan?

Jerry

Sublime · #12 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trularin

If I may, a main cap stud does not typically move. I mean, not like it would cause this.

Do you have studs or bolts holding the mains in place? I had to trim studs on mine.

You may!! Please, any help is appreciated.

I got pretty frustrated and put the old pan back on last winter just so I could enjoy the car. It leaks a little, but not too bad. I haven't touched the car at all this past summer. 110 degree heat kind of takes the "fun" out of crawling underneath! I'll have to drop the pan again and check out how the mains are held. I really can't recall.

Sublime · #13 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

take the oil pump and pickup completely off--see if the pan will go up
if not see if the main caps are bolts or studs, if studs are they longer than needed??

Look for scrape marks to see what is hitting

Your id says you have a cleveland--are you trying to put on a 302 or windsor pan?
Are do you have a Windsor and are trying to put on a Cleveland pan?

Jerry

Thanks, Jerry. Yea, I'll have to try pulling everything off again. Definitely Cleveland pans. I've tried a couple now from different mfg's. I looked for the scrape marks but couldn't get anything definitive.

I have a feeling you guys are right on about the bolts or studs. If they're studs I imagine I can trim. If bolts, guessing I'll have to get new ones??