Oil pan baffeling

[Chuck R.]

I'm curious as to how the spot welded tin baffel plate works in a performance oil pans?

I have three GM oil pans, two with, and one without the spot welded tin baffels.

Are these primarily to in place to keep the oil from sloshing up out of the sump?

On a 427 I helped a friend with some years ago, I remeber that there was a windage tray attached to the pump assmbly. As I didn't see the oil pan, was this in place in addition to a pan baffel or in place of?

The reason I ask is that the best small block pan I have out of the three is the non-baffeled pan and am concerned about using it due to the missing baffel.

Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: Oil pan baffeling

Chuck-----

It's hard to advise without knowing the specific application that you're talking about. However, I'll offer the following GENERAL information

56-62 oil pans---various internal baffling used over the years and for different engines. Most, if not all, were designed for use without external baffling (i.e. baffles attached to main cap studs)

1963-74 "5 quart"---internal baffling only, although some 72-74 models MAY have used a seperate, external baffle. This pan functions perfectly without external baffling, though.

1963-72 "6 quart"---uses combination of internal and external baffling. However, this pan will work ok without external baffle.

1975-79 L-48---uses little, if any, internal baffling; NO external baffle.

1975-79 L-82---uses BOTH internal AND external baffling. This pan is only effective if the external baffle is used. Without it, the pan, effectively, becomes the same as the L-48 pan.

1965-74 big block---uses both internal and external baffling. These pans will work pretty well, though, without the external baffle.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Ok then,

So the baffel's only purpose is to keep the oil in the sunp so the pump doesn't cavitate?

[Duke W.]

Re: Ok then,

No, the purpose is to ensure the pump inlet is covered with liquid oil including conditions of high vehicle dynamic loading such as braking and cornering.

Cavitation is a different phenomenon than oil starvation. Cavitation is the mechanical breakdown of the liquid that causes voids, which then collapse and create shock waves that can erode the pump gears, but it should not normally occur until well beyond the engine redline.

Water pumps can also be subject to cavitation, and detonation can also cause cavitation. "Cavitation erosion" of diesel engine cylinder liners is an issue, and it's caused by the rapid rise in cylinder pressure that is characteristic of diesels. Special coolant additives - "nitrites" - are added to diesel engine antifreeze products to reduce cooling jacket cavitation.

Zerex G-05 antifreeze has nitrites and is dual rated for both spark ignition engine and HD diesel engine use.

Duke

[Chuck R.]

Re: Sorry, an un-educated choice of words

I guess oil starvation would have been a better term to use.

Alright, so it's as I guessed, to help hold the oil in the sump. I get it now.

Thanks for the clarification Duke,

Chuck

[Dave F.]

perhaps you experienced cerebral cavitation *NM*

[Chuck R.]

Re: Frequently my friend *NM*