350 oil pans

[Chuck R.]

Is there any difference in 350 oil pans for Corvettes over other Chevrolet 350 pans?

I seem to vaguely recall something about clearing steering linkages.

Is this true?

Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: 350 oil pans

Chuck-----

For most years there are differences. The oil pans used for 63-74 and 80-82 Corvettes were unique-to-Corvette pans. The oil pans used for 1975-79 Corvettes were shared with other Chevrolet chassis. These pans were essentially the same as passenger cars and Camaros and, perhaps, other Chevrolet models, too. The passenger car small block pans which are the same as the 75-79 Corvette small blcok pans can be used on any 63+ Corvette but they are not correct for most of them.

[Chuck R.]

Re: What prompted the pan changes Joe?

Was it crossmember and/or steering linkage configurations, or was it just power plant improvements aimed towards better engine oiling?

Will my 68 chassis require a 68 erra pan? Sounds like it.

Thanks for the info Joe,

Chuck

[Chuck S.]

Re: What prompted the pan changes Joe?

Chuckster, I don't know ALL the reasons for changing oil pans, but trying to straddle a stick of split fire wood 4" in height with a Corvette having 3" ground clearance will cause you to change one.

[Bob R.]

Re: What prompted the pan changes Joe?

The SHP engines from I think 34-65 had a large 6 quart oil pan. The large pan would not fit with power steering. Therefor those cars did not have power steering.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Or rail road tracks Mr. S.

Well then, according to Bob, I could POSSIBLY just use a standard five quart pan as I have no power steering.

I'll have to take a peek at my original 327 pan to see if something jumps out at me.

Thanks Folks,

Chuckster

[Chuck S.]

Cross Only At The Gates And Lights... *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: What prompted the pan changes Joe?

Chuck-----

I really don't know for sure. However, I expect that for the 1975 model year there may have been some kind of "economy" and parts "consolidation" movement afoot at GM. Someone probably figured that there was no real reason to use a special pan for Corvettes when a more-or-less standard pan configuration would fit the chassis just fine.

However, the problem with the 75-79 pan is that it has a shorter and deeper sump than the 63-74 Corvette pan. This results in less ground clearance for the pan. Improving pan to ground clearance was the exact reason for the unique-to-Corvette pans first used for the 1963 model year. But, someone didn't understand that when planning and designing for the 1975 model year.

They learned the "error in their ways", though. For the 1980 model year when the dipstick location was changed to the right side, the pan was "redesigned". Low-and-behold, the 1980 pan, except for the dipstick location, was exactly like the 63-74 Corvette "5 quart" pan. From then on, right through C4 production, Corvettes used a unique, Corvette-only profile pan. In 1986 the pan was modified for the then-new one piece rear main seal blocks, but the exact same low profile configuration was used, except for the dip stick location and the rear seal radius. So, as it is, all 1963 to 1996 small block Corvettes, EXCEPT certain 63-72 with "6 quart" pans and 75-79 models, used a very similar configuration pan. The 80+ pans are not interchangeable with the earlier due to dipstick location and, for 1986+, the rear oil pan seal radius.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Typical reactive management

That makes perfect sense.

My 68 327 pan DID have the shallower sump profile as opposed to the 350 pan.

Of course if I re-use the bashed up pan I have now, I'll have the ground clearance I need right?

The search begins. I hope it "pans" out for me....Sorry, I couldn't resist

Thanks Folks,

Chuck

[Chuck R.]

Re: What's a rail road crossing? *NM*