C2 SHP Oil Pans

[Pete Wolff]

Greetings to all, I have a 66 350HP roadster (non power steering) that is missing it's steering damper. I was all set to order one with all the proper bolts and brackets but I wonder if there is enough room for it. The oil pan is one of the high capacity SHP units and clearance between it and the steering center link is tight. So here is my question... is there a pan that will not work with the damper? I believe my pan to be the "proper" one for the car but I can't be sure. Any thoughts ?

[Mike Yager]

Re: C2 SHP Oil Pans

Pete:

It is my understanding that the SHP cars did not have the steering damper due to the higher capacity, 6 qt oil pan. The higher capacity pan interfered with the damper. AT least that was the case in '64. I have a 327/300 HP car with the 5 qt pan, which was standard for this engine.

When I bought my car, it was missing the damper. I subsequently added it. I found it made an improvement in the way the car handled. There was no more "twitchiness" in the steering wheel at crusiing speed. If you have the 5 qt pan and wish to stay with it, I would recommend adding the damper.

[Wayne K.]

Re: C2 SHP Oil Pans

Pete,

I have a 67 327/350 and it has the steering damper. It also has a 5qt. pan which according to the oil change info in the owners manual is the correct pan.

[Gary B.]

1966 L79 w/ steering damper

Pete,

I have an unmollested 66 L79 (engine code suffix HT) without power steering and my car still has the original data coded steering damper. I've done a small survey of 5 or 6 1966 L79 cars with the HT suffix and they all have the steering damper.

Gary

[Pete Wolff]

Re: C2 SHP Oil Pans

Thanks guys, my pan is 5 quart with the drain plug at center rear. If that's what you guys have and the damper fits then I'll be ordering one, again thank you for the quick responses.

[Gary B.]

5 qt vs. 6 qt

Pete,

Yes my drain plug is the large diameter one at the rear of the pan and the pan has the 2 (or 3) raised ribs along at least one side, maybe both sides. When you change your oil do you put in 5 quarts or 6?

Gary

[Pete Wolff]

Re: 5 qt vs. 6 qt

Gary,

Thanks for the response, seems like your car will be a good reference for me ! My pan had two vertical "indents" in the pass side and three on the driver side. The sump measured approx 14" from the drain plug to the front of the sump. I have only changed the oil once but seem to recall that it was 5qts in the pan and one for the filter, which is what a 1966 Motors manual calls for. The owners manual calls for 4 + 1. Sorry to be beating this subject to death but I don't want to order all that good stuff only to return it because it doesn't fit.

[Duke W.]

Re: 5 qt vs. 6 qt

The deep section of the large pan extends for about 3/4 of the pan length and on the order of 1/2 for the standard pan. To the best on my knowledge the '66 L-79 did not use the large pan in order to accomodate the power steering option. If you have the large pan it is obvious that the steering damper/power steering cannot be installed.

Duke

[Gary B.]

Re: 5 qt vs. 6 qt

Pete,

Maybe you are correct and the side ribs are indented not raised. I can take a look when I get home tonight and also see if the deep section on mine is 1/2 or 3/4 of the total length as Duke discussed.

Gary

[Craig S.]

Re: 5 qt vs. 6 qt

Pete - th 4 + 1 should be right if you really do have the correct 5 quart pan. I believe the pan designations take into account the filter capacity. My 67 has the correct pan, power steering, and it takes 5 quarts inclusive of the oil filter...Craig