'72 BB oil pan and related Questions.

[Brandon Metzger]

Hello all.
Working on My "72 BB. Now the engine is not original but I managed to get a rebuilt '73 correct casting number BB and a fair price so that is what I am working on. The oil pan that came on the engine was wrong so I am changing it to a correct oil pan from GM. I bought one the other day with the baffle. Before I proceed let me appologize for the my lack of knowledge on the terms. I am not much of an engine guy .... yet.

First, the pan does not sit correctly because the round "oil pick up" seems to be hitting the back of the "cage" that is built into the bottom of the pan. It is basicaly causing the pan to not match up with the mounting holes on the block by about a quarter of and inch, maybe just over a quarter inch. Is this easily fixed my buying a correct pick up? The pump looks to be in great shape but I can not tell if it is new or original. Do the pumps come in different sizes so this could be off too?

Secondly, the baffle that came with the pan needs to be mounted. I bought the baffle studs from Paragon and I believe I found where they install. I need to replace the bolts that are currently in place. What torque is needed to have these proporly intalled?

Third, this is a 454 and I installed a new oil presure line and oil pressure line bracket. The bracket mounts to the block....is it painted or left alone? Also, there are a number of oil pressure addapter fittings. One mounts to the block then a small one to make the transission to a third that accepts the metal oil pressure line. This third seems to come to a point at the end that fits into the second addapter but I can not figure out how it makes an air tight fit with the metal line. I have tightend it all the way yet but the line easily pulls in and out of the fitting. Just wanted to know if I am missing something or it realy needs to be tighted all the way. this looks like a plumping issue...which i have done some plumping before, and I just can not figure out how these three fitting tighten around the metal oil pressure line to make it air tight.

I think I have one more question but I will save it for later, unless I can figure it out.

Sorry for the long post.

Thank you much.
Brandon

[Craig S.]

Re: '72 BB oil pan and related Questions.

Brandon - reading your post, I am assuming you have the correct BB pan P/N 14091356 that includes the windage tray. I am not familiar with Paragons studs for mounting, but I assume they are just supplying the correct GM studs, avaialbe as P/N 3902885 (qty 4). These replace bolts for some of the main bearing caps. GM offers pump 3969870 to go along with this pan that includes the correct oil pickup to give 4.94" distance from the pump mounting surface to the bottom of the screen, and includes a tack weld to avoid the pickup tube vibrating out of the pump. It also is a HV pump, probably not necessary but not an issue. I have used this combination before. It sounds like you have some other pickup/pump installed right now.

I don't have the torque specs handy.....so I don't want to give you the wrong specs, and you didn't comment if you have a 4bolt block or not. If memory serves, I think they are 105 ft/lbs.....but hopefully someone else will chime in.....this is all specified in the GM service manuals from Helm.

On the oil pressure plumbing fittings, there should be a compression fitting that snugs around the metal pipe to seal when tightened. It sounds like this may be what you have....

I can't comment on the bracket but assume it is unpainted and istalled at the st louis assembly plant vs Tonawanda, but others will chime in.....Craig

[Brandon Metzger]

Re: '72 BB oil pan and related Questions.

Craig,
Thank you much. You are correct on the p/n for the oil pan. GM does not sell the bolts any more so I had to get them from paragon. I think it is actualy a set of five, four that do into the caps as you suggested and one into the pump around back. I don't know how to tell if it is a 4 or not. Again, engines are not my thing. I believe most of the BB of this vintage are four bolt. Honestly, I don't even know what this means. Not to show my ignorance.

Anyway, thank you much for the responce. I think I will need to get a new pump with pick up.

Ahhhhh the pain of a rebuild.

Best regards,
Brandon

[Mark #28455]

Re: '72 BB oil pan and related Questions.

If you cannot get the GM pump, you can also get a standard volume Melling or TRW pump and just get the correct Corvette only pickup from a supplier like ZIP.
Good luck,
Mark

[Brandon Metzger]

Re: '72 BB oil pan and related Questions.

I have ordered the correct pump using Craig's P/N he listed. It is still available.

I looked at the fitting for the pressure line and it does look like it will pinch around the metal. I just haven't gone that far yet.

For those that need a BB oil pan. I believe GM is going to discontinue production of the BB oil pan. The dealer I bought mine from said there were only four listed in the system, at least localy. He was saying the way it is listed indicates that it will no longer be available once these four were out. There are probably more nationaly but if any of you were debating on buying one you may want to do it quickly. I am not a GM supply guy, I am just passing on the information I have incase it is of help to someone.

Regards,
Brandon