1972 LT-1 Oil Pan

[Martin Z.]

I am in need of a oil pan for a 1972 LT-1 with power steering. Any suggestions?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Oil Pan

Martin-----

It depends whether you want a CORRECT oil pan or just a FUNCTIONAL oil pan. If you want an EXACTLY correct oil pan, you'll have to look for an NOS or used GM #3820000 oil pan. Finding an NOS example will be near-impossible. Used versions are available, but fairly expensive at about $200-300. This same pan was used on most 1963-74 Corvettes with small block, except 63-65 with SHP mechanical lifter engines and ZR-1 70-72 models. However, it was NEVER used on any other Chevrolet chassis application, so all donor pans come from Corvettes.

The GM #360866 oil pan, which replaced the 3820000 for SERVICE beginning about 1976, is a virtually identical oil pan. The problem is, it's been discontinued for over 5 years, too. NOS examples are around but fetch high prices. Usually, $300 to $500.

No reproductions of the above-referenced oil pans are available at the present time. They may come on the market in the future, though. I understand that Paragon is the GM licensee for reproduction of this pan.

For a FUNCTIONAL replacement, you can use oil pan GM #360450. This is the 75-79 L-82 oil pan. To use it, you will need to also change your oil pump pick-up screen, upper dipstick tube, and dipstick (or, "recalibrate" your existing dipstick for use with your existing tube). If you use this pan in conjunction with baffle GM #3927136 and GM #14087508 studs, then you will have a set-up superior to the original from a FUNCTIONAL perspective. However, the configuration of this pan, which is still available from GM, is markedly different than your original.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Martin-----

In the event that the oil pan drain plug is your only problem, that can be easily repaired. A replacement flange is still available from GM under GM #3723008. With this flange, or one that can be fabricated using a piece of 1/4" steel stock 1-3/8" X 7/8" with a 1/2-20 drilled and tapped hole in the center, the pan can be repaired in one of 2 ways:

1) Remove the existing flange and weld on the new one. This can be a bit difficult since the spot welds affixing the old flange can be difficult to "break";

2) Simply weld the new flange over the existing one so that the center of the hole in the new flange exactly corresponds to the center of the hole in the old flange. There is usually enough thread length on the drain plug to accomodate the additional depth.

Another repair option is to have the hole in the flange welded up (from the inside of the pan). Then, redrill and tap for 1/2-20 threads.