C2 Oil Pan

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Oil Pan

Yes, but it's also entirely possible that it wasn't replaced. I'd say the chances are about 50/50 at this point. I would still wait for input from owners of other original cars in the same build time range before whipping the pan off.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Oil Pan

Yes, but it's also entirely possible that it wasn't replaced. I'd say the chances are about 50/50 at this point. I would still wait for input from owners of other original cars in the same build time range before whipping the pan off.

[Mike M.]

April 65 L-79

I have a L79 that was built the first week of April and it has a steering damper and does not have power steering.
Mike

[Mike M.]

April 65 L-79

I have a L79 that was built the first week of April and it has a steering damper and does not have power steering.
Mike

[Michael H.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Well.....guess that answers that question. We just learned something, thanks Mike.

[Michael H.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Well.....guess that answers that question. We just learned something, thanks Mike.

[Richard Hayes]

Re: April 65 L-79

I have a late January L-79 and IT does have a damper. The damper looks to be original ("Pliacell" 3178100 ) and looks to have a date of 254-64 . The car had a late 70's 350 truck 4 bolt w/ the wrong pan (drain on side) which worked fine (5 qt). I have since got hold of a correct pan off a March 65 motor and had no problems at all. You must have the wrong pan.

[Richard Hayes]

Re: April 65 L-79

I have a late January L-79 and IT does have a damper. The damper looks to be original ("Pliacell" 3178100 ) and looks to have a date of 254-64 . The car had a late 70's 350 truck 4 bolt w/ the wrong pan (drain on side) which worked fine (5 qt). I have since got hold of a correct pan off a March 65 motor and had no problems at all. You must have the wrong pan.

[Donald T.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Appreciate the assistance. It does appear to be the wrong pan. Anyone have any ideas on obtaining a correct one, possibly good used? Didn't see anything on ebay or the driveline. Will the correct pan fit my existing timing chain cover, etc.?

[Donald T.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Appreciate the assistance. It does appear to be the wrong pan. Anyone have any ideas on obtaining a correct one, possibly good used? Didn't see anything on ebay or the driveline. Will the correct pan fit my existing timing chain cover, etc.?

[Mike Cobine]

In the light of all eternity

You can find anything you want with some patience. If you have been driving this long without the dampener and with the wrong pan, what is another month or so in the big scheme of life?

You could get the pan today, but what price? There are lots of vendors you could call, say you needed it today, and for $200 or $400 or ?? it will be on your doorstep tomorrow.

Or you could wander the swap meets and maybe find one in a couple of months for $50 somewhere that someone doesn't realize what it is.

Same on eBay. Don't just search for "L79 pan" but search for pans (283,327,350,302) and check each out. You may find one mislabeled and cheap.

You can also search for whole engines. You may find a 283 someone hotrodded for $100 that has the pan and who knows what else.

Surely, there are some local (i.e., less that 100 miles) swap meets going on around you that you can check. They don't have to be Corvette events, and money-wise, it is better if they are not.

And if you don't have one by the end of August, you can bet there will be several at Corvettes at Carlisle.

[Mike Cobine]

In the light of all eternity

You can find anything you want with some patience. If you have been driving this long without the dampener and with the wrong pan, what is another month or so in the big scheme of life?

You could get the pan today, but what price? There are lots of vendors you could call, say you needed it today, and for $200 or $400 or ?? it will be on your doorstep tomorrow.

Or you could wander the swap meets and maybe find one in a couple of months for $50 somewhere that someone doesn't realize what it is.

Same on eBay. Don't just search for "L79 pan" but search for pans (283,327,350,302) and check each out. You may find one mislabeled and cheap.

You can also search for whole engines. You may find a 283 someone hotrodded for $100 that has the pan and who knows what else.

Surely, there are some local (i.e., less that 100 miles) swap meets going on around you that you can check. They don't have to be Corvette events, and money-wise, it is better if they are not.

And if you don't have one by the end of August, you can bet there will be several at Corvettes at Carlisle.

[Joe L.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Don-------

I'm not 100% sure that the pan is incorrect. It's possible that some 1965 with L-79 MAY have used the "6 quart" pan. I doubt it, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility. The "6 quart" pan cannot be installed with power steering or the steering shock absorber. So, cars equipped with the "6 quart" pan cannot also be equipped with either of those. I'd look real carefully to see if either of these were EVER installed on the car. There may be some "vestige" of the mounting of either the steering shock absorber or the power steering system. Look for any signs of the frame-mounted bracket (different ones were used for power steering ram or the shock absorber end mount, but both were mounted in the same location on the left side frame rail) or the hardware on the relay rod for the steering shock absorber inner mount. If you find any evidence of the once-installation of either of these, then you know the pan is not original. Otherwise, it may or may not be.

If you choose to install the "5 quart" pan which most, if not all, 1965 L-79s were equipped with, then you need a GM #3820000 (original pan used for most 63-74 small blocks) or GM #360866 (1976 SERVICE replacement for the 3820000 which is dientical except for front oil pan seal radius). Either pan will fit your engine perfectly and NO other changes need to be performed. Your existing oil pump pick-up, front cover, and diptick/dipstick tube will work perfectly (assuming, of course, that they work perfectly with your existing "6 quart" pan).

The big problem is obtaining the above-referenced. The 3820000 was discontinued and replaced by the 360866 in about 1976. The 360866 was then discontinued several years ago. Both pans are difficult to locate these days, especially in NEW condition. Both the "5 quart", described above, and "6 quart" (GM #3820001 and later GM #359942) pans were used on Corvette applications ONLY. So, you can't obtain a donor from any other Chevrolet car or truck; it has to come from a Corvette. Plus, neither pan are reproduced at the current time, although Paragon may have one or both available in the future.

One thing in your favor is this: if you currently have the "6 quart" Corvette pan, then you have "trading material". You might find someone that is willing to trade you a "5 quart" for your "6 quart". However, the "5 quart" are in much higher demand since they were used on so many 63-74 Corvette small blocks whereas the "6 quart" pan had very limited original application.

Unless you've just got to have the steering shock absorber or power steering, I'd leave the pan you have where it is. The steering shock absorber is really not all that critical from a functional perspective. No 1965-68 big block Corvette with manual steering ever had it. Plus, no 69+ Corvette with manual steering ever had it. Power steering is another matter; that's a very worthwhile addition to the car and it worth changing the pan to have it.

[Joe L.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Don-------

I'm not 100% sure that the pan is incorrect. It's possible that some 1965 with L-79 MAY have used the "6 quart" pan. I doubt it, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility. The "6 quart" pan cannot be installed with power steering or the steering shock absorber. So, cars equipped with the "6 quart" pan cannot also be equipped with either of those. I'd look real carefully to see if either of these were EVER installed on the car. There may be some "vestige" of the mounting of either the steering shock absorber or the power steering system. Look for any signs of the frame-mounted bracket (different ones were used for power steering ram or the shock absorber end mount, but both were mounted in the same location on the left side frame rail) or the hardware on the relay rod for the steering shock absorber inner mount. If you find any evidence of the once-installation of either of these, then you know the pan is not original. Otherwise, it may or may not be.

If you choose to install the "5 quart" pan which most, if not all, 1965 L-79s were equipped with, then you need a GM #3820000 (original pan used for most 63-74 small blocks) or GM #360866 (1976 SERVICE replacement for the 3820000 which is dientical except for front oil pan seal radius). Either pan will fit your engine perfectly and NO other changes need to be performed. Your existing oil pump pick-up, front cover, and diptick/dipstick tube will work perfectly (assuming, of course, that they work perfectly with your existing "6 quart" pan).

The big problem is obtaining the above-referenced. The 3820000 was discontinued and replaced by the 360866 in about 1976. The 360866 was then discontinued several years ago. Both pans are difficult to locate these days, especially in NEW condition. Both the "5 quart", described above, and "6 quart" (GM #3820001 and later GM #359942) pans were used on Corvette applications ONLY. So, you can't obtain a donor from any other Chevrolet car or truck; it has to come from a Corvette. Plus, neither pan are reproduced at the current time, although Paragon may have one or both available in the future.

One thing in your favor is this: if you currently have the "6 quart" Corvette pan, then you have "trading material". You might find someone that is willing to trade you a "5 quart" for your "6 quart". However, the "5 quart" are in much higher demand since they were used on so many 63-74 Corvette small blocks whereas the "6 quart" pan had very limited original application.

Unless you've just got to have the steering shock absorber or power steering, I'd leave the pan you have where it is. The steering shock absorber is really not all that critical from a functional perspective. No 1965-68 big block Corvette with manual steering ever had it. Plus, no 69+ Corvette with manual steering ever had it. Power steering is another matter; that's a very worthwhile addition to the car and it worth changing the pan to have it.

[Donald T.]

Re: April 65 L-79

Thanks Mike and Joe. That's great advice! Joe is thorough and very informative as usual! The relay rod and frame does not show any sign of power steering or damper. However, the relay rod was rebuilt and idler arm replaced prior to my ownership, so it's certainly not untouched. Who knows how it was delivered. I think I will take both of your advice. I'm going to leave it as is until I find a reasonably priced used original. You are correct that the car functions fine without it, so it's not a big deal to worry about this later.

Thanks!