Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

**Joe L.** · January 21, 2005, 06:41 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Dave-----

The oil pan that you got from Summit should work ok for you as long as it fits in your C1 chassis. It's not correct, of course, but it should be 100% functional. Very likely, it will be a "5 quart with filter pan". Most standard and/or generic Chevrolet pans are this size. You will need to calibrate your dipstick for this pan as your existing dipstick will be inaccurate. I'd use a new dipstick. Then, after installing the pan and new oil filter, add 4 quarts of oil and run the engine. Turn of the engine and let it sit for at least an hour. Note the level on the dipstick and mark it with a chisel or punch. This is the "add" oil level. Then, add 1 quart of oil and do as before. Mark this as the "full" level. You now have a properly calibrated dipstick for use with this pan.

Make sure that the oil pickup screen that you have does, indeed, fit so that it's lower level is about 1/2" from the bottom of the pan. It should work fine as long as it can be so-positioned.

This pan, apparently, uses the 75+ style oil pan gasket since they told you that you need the "thick" front seal. Most GM replacement small block pans since about 1976, or so, for all 1956+ small block applications use the 75+ front seal, too. So, order an oil pan gasket kit for a 75-79 small block. For a GM kit, you need GM #14079399. Better yet, use a Fel-Pro OS-34510-T one piece oil pan gasket. This one fits the 75-79 pan configuration.

You don't absolutely need to use a new oil pump bolt, but it's not a bad idea. Don't use a generic bolt for this. Your engine uses a bolt that's no longer available from GM (the later bolt is but the 55-65 bolt is not). So, either use your original bolt or go "all-out" and use ARP oil pump stud kit #230-7001. This kit is not very expensive, either.

**Joe L.** · January 21, 2005, 06:41 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Dave-----

The oil pan that you got from Summit should work ok for you as long as it fits in your C1 chassis. It's not correct, of course, but it should be 100% functional. Very likely, it will be a "5 quart with filter pan". Most standard and/or generic Chevrolet pans are this size. You will need to calibrate your dipstick for this pan as your existing dipstick will be inaccurate. I'd use a new dipstick. Then, after installing the pan and new oil filter, add 4 quarts of oil and run the engine. Turn of the engine and let it sit for at least an hour. Note the level on the dipstick and mark it with a chisel or punch. This is the "add" oil level. Then, add 1 quart of oil and do as before. Mark this as the "full" level. You now have a properly calibrated dipstick for use with this pan.

Make sure that the oil pickup screen that you have does, indeed, fit so that it's lower level is about 1/2" from the bottom of the pan. It should work fine as long as it can be so-positioned.

This pan, apparently, uses the 75+ style oil pan gasket since they told you that you need the "thick" front seal. Most GM replacement small block pans since about 1976, or so, for all 1956+ small block applications use the 75+ front seal, too. So, order an oil pan gasket kit for a 75-79 small block. For a GM kit, you need GM #14079399. Better yet, use a Fel-Pro OS-34510-T one piece oil pan gasket. This one fits the 75-79 pan configuration.

You don't absolutely need to use a new oil pump bolt, but it's not a bad idea. Don't use a generic bolt for this. Your engine uses a bolt that's no longer available from GM (the later bolt is but the 55-65 bolt is not). So, either use your original bolt or go "all-out" and use ARP oil pump stud kit #230-7001. This kit is not very expensive, either.

**Dave #34924** · January 21, 2005, 07:18 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Thanks for all the info Joe, appreciate it. Well I dont know if it will work in the chassis because the engine is not in the car, is there anything I could look for that would be an obvious sign that i would have a problem with the chassis?
I already bought the 1 piece gasket, Now why would you NOT use the grade 8 bolt they sold me? I tried it this afternoon (NO TORQUE), just finger tight, the shoulder is completely in the pump housing, and the shoulder is the same O.D. as the wide part of the shoulder of the old bolt, and the overall length of the bolt is exactly the same as the original, it seems like it would work fine.
The old pan looks like it had about an inch of clearance, pickup to pan, was that two much?
So what is the trick to upload a picture???

Thank, Dave

**Dave #34924** · January 21, 2005, 07:18 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Thanks for all the info Joe, appreciate it. Well I dont know if it will work in the chassis because the engine is not in the car, is there anything I could look for that would be an obvious sign that i would have a problem with the chassis?
I already bought the 1 piece gasket, Now why would you NOT use the grade 8 bolt they sold me? I tried it this afternoon (NO TORQUE), just finger tight, the shoulder is completely in the pump housing, and the shoulder is the same O.D. as the wide part of the shoulder of the old bolt, and the overall length of the bolt is exactly the same as the original, it seems like it would work fine.
The old pan looks like it had about an inch of clearance, pickup to pan, was that two much?
So what is the trick to upload a picture???

Thank, Dave

**John H.** · January 21, 2005, 08:00 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

You can't upload photos from your hard drive - you need to have your images "hosted" on an internet photo-hosting site or website, then insert the URL of that image in the "Optional Image URL" box below the box you type in when composing a post, and it'll pop right up. Hint: Don't make your hosted images any wider than 640 pixels, or folks will have to scroll horizontally to see them.

**John H.** · January 21, 2005, 08:00 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

You can't upload photos from your hard drive - you need to have your images "hosted" on an internet photo-hosting site or website, then insert the URL of that image in the "Optional Image URL" box below the box you type in when composing a post, and it'll pop right up. Hint: Don't make your hosted images any wider than 640 pixels, or folks will have to scroll horizontally to see them.

**Joe L.** · January 21, 2005, 08:21 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Dave-----

I think that the pan will probably fit ok but others that have used a "standard" replacement pan (or, any passenger car pan) in a C1 could comment on their experience.

The main problem with the generic grade 8 bolt is that generic, hardware store type grade 8 bolts may not really be up to grade 8 standards. With a GM bolt, you're pretty well assured of quality.

Also, it's CRITICAL that the bolt be the exact same length as the original bolt.

**Joe L.** · January 21, 2005, 08:21 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Dave-----

I think that the pan will probably fit ok but others that have used a "standard" replacement pan (or, any passenger car pan) in a C1 could comment on their experience.

The main problem with the generic grade 8 bolt is that generic, hardware store type grade 8 bolts may not really be up to grade 8 standards. With a GM bolt, you're pretty well assured of quality.

Also, it's CRITICAL that the bolt be the exact same length as the original bolt.

**Dave #34924** · January 21, 2005, 10:09 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Yes, i understand about the bolt,I bought it from the nutty bolt company, not a hardware store, they have a very good reputation, and the length is the same, give or take a hair I suppose, I will double check it tomorrow. is there a place you know of that sells the blank dipstick you talked about?
Is 1/2 inch the standard for pickup to oil pan distance?

**Dave #34924** · January 21, 2005, 10:09 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Yes, i understand about the bolt,I bought it from the nutty bolt company, not a hardware store, they have a very good reputation, and the length is the same, give or take a hair I suppose, I will double check it tomorrow. is there a place you know of that sells the blank dipstick you talked about?
Is 1/2 inch the standard for pickup to oil pan distance?

**Joe L.** · January 21, 2005, 10:16 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Dave-----

They probably do sell blank dipsticks, but I don't know where. However, you don't need a blank one. Just use any Chevrolet dipstick of sufficent length (or, if it's too long just cut off what you don't need). You can mark it on the unmarked side. If you wish, you can also carefully grind off or obliterate the present markings on the dipstick so there's no confusion on the part of others that might check the oil in the near or long term.

About 1/2" from the bottom of the pan is the best setting for the pick-up screen. You want the screen to be functional and not "pump air" at the lowest possible point without chattering on the bottom surface of the pan.

**Joe L.** · January 21, 2005, 10:16 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Dave-----

They probably do sell blank dipsticks, but I don't know where. However, you don't need a blank one. Just use any Chevrolet dipstick of sufficent length (or, if it's too long just cut off what you don't need). You can mark it on the unmarked side. If you wish, you can also carefully grind off or obliterate the present markings on the dipstick so there's no confusion on the part of others that might check the oil in the near or long term.

About 1/2" from the bottom of the pan is the best setting for the pick-up screen. You want the screen to be functional and not "pump air" at the lowest possible point without chattering on the bottom surface of the pan.

**Dave #34924** · January 21, 2005, 10:47 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Thank You Joe

**Dave #34924** · January 21, 2005, 10:47 PM

Re: Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Thank You Joe

Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

Oil pan question on my 60 Vette

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