Oil pan size. Does it matter?

[hertelbr]

I am putting a 390 in a shell valley cobra, I am limited on ground clearance with a 7 quart oil pan. The engine is over 500 hp and 11.5:1 compression (don't know if this matters or not). What is the down side of using a stock pan to increase clearance? The car will be mostly used for recreational street driving.

[jhv48]

No problem unless you plan to race it.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by hertelbr

What is the down side of using a stock pan to increase clearance? The car will be mostly used for recreational street driving.

If you run a HV oil pump on your FE with a stock oil pan you are absolutely guaranteed to have an oil starvation condition and significantly shorten the life of your engine. No two ways about it.

EDIT -- This is the most recent thread (week before last) from the FE forum on how much oil stays up top in an FE http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182...il+in+the+pan-

[mickmate]

The aftermarket pans are no deeper than a stock one they just have more capacity and better baffling to contain that capacity. I'd recommend at least a Canton or better still an Aviaid style.

[jams]

Not a problem unless you do a lot of heavy driving/racing.

[Cobra 29]

I installed a Canton 11qt pan, should have gotten the 9 qt pan. For mostly brief street driving, you may not travel far enough to warm-up the oil for a good period of time evaporate moisture, etc. This is especially true if you plan to run anoil cooler without a themostat.

[spl310]

Originally Posted by mickmate

The aftermarket pans are no deeper than a stock one they just have more capacity and better baffling to contain that capacity. I'd recommend at least a Canton or better still an Aviaid style.

It depends on the pan being used, doesn't it? Years ago, I rebuilt a few engines. One was a pretty hot big block for a Mach 1 Mustang. The guy wanted a Moroso pan on it, and it definitely DID hang lower than the stock pan.

[Ron61]

I had a 418 stroker in my car and I used the 8 quart Moroso road race pan and it was no lower than the stock 6 quart pan would have been. By the time I added the remote filter and cooler, it took just over 9 quarts for a change, but I never had a problem with it as I had a skid plate in front that was 1/4"lower that anything else under the car. But this was on a small block, so the BB may be lower.

Ron

[MaSnaka]

I have a fe390 and fairly recently went from the stock pan to the Canton pan. I believe it's called the "T" style pan that has the side flared out for more capacity. It hangs abot 1/2'' lower than stock. It also came with a larger diameter pick-up. The part number is Canton 15-820. Good luck.

John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

I have a fe390 and fairly recently went from the stock pan to the Canton pan... The part number is Canton 15-820.

That's what I use -- here's a shot of it. You can see the oil temp fitting, the dipstick is on the other side.

[MaSnaka]

Patrict, Does your temp sending unit stick down to the oil? I had mine installed in the lower front opposite the drain hole and I don't get a very good reading. Of course the bung is a little different from the old one and the sensor isn't as deep into the oil. Just wondering how yours works.

John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

Patrict, Does your temp sending unit stick down to the oil?

No, it gets sloshed and misted, but I don't think it's long enough to actually stick down in the oil. But both the water & oil gauges are surprisingly accurate for Smiths. I check them with a laser pyrometer and they're pretty darn close. I was frankly surprised.

[mickmate]

Stock pan is 7" deep at the sump, Canton 15-820 is 6" deep, Aviaid is 6" deep at the front, 5" at the back as the motors slope down towards the back. They use that Tee shape described to increase capacity while gaining road clearance. Important to consider baffling and windage with that though.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by hertelbr

What is the down side of using a stock pan to increase clearance?

Patrickt hit it in post #3. It is engine failure from oil starvation. The damage can be impressive. Good place not to go. Make sure you have reserve capacity, good baffling, and a good pump.

Ed

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by eschaider

...engine failure from oil starvation.

I'd don't like to even starve me, much less my precious FE.

[Sminor]

Hey Patrick,

If you don't mind, what is the ground clearance between your oil pan and the pavement ? I believe I have the same type of pan, and with 15" tires I have only 3 3/4" ground clearance. Considering the poor road conditions in WV, I'm wondering if the pan is too low.
Thanks,
steve

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Sminor

Hey Patrick,

If you don't mind, what is the ground clearance between your oil pan and the pavement ? I believe I have the same type of pan, and with 15" tires I have only 3 3/4" ground clearance. Considering the poor road conditions in WV, I'm wondering if the pan is too low.
Thanks,
steve

I get five inches of ground clearance. Here's a better shot that shows you how it sits compared to the trimmed off portion of the bellhousing.

[Sminor]

Thank you Patrick...........I believe I will spool up my front coil overs a few turns and see if I can come up with something close to that.
steve