Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

[John R.]

Have found an oil pan for my 1957 vette after searching for many, many months. The outside is pretty straight with very little surface rust. However the inside has some heavy pitting in the shallowest step, opposite end of the drain hole. Should I be concerned about this pitting in the inside? I will nuetralize it, then it would be in oil the rest of its life when installed....Or does this pitting present a problem on a running motor? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Russ S.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

I don't foresee any problem as long as the pitting isn't so deep that it leaks.

[Mike G.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

as long as it does not leak now i would use it. a real 57 oil pan is hard to find. the last one i had i put on ebay and it brought $600.00. i wish i had another one to keep for a while. do you have a pic of yours?

[Ron M.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

Hi John
I have a similar condition on my '57 oil pan. If your concern is for leaks, I don't think this would be a problem. I primed and painted mine(outside) seven years ago and so far no problem. I would be more concerned about the pan rails. Some of these old pans have been over-tightened and distorted the bolt holes causing poor gasket contact.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

you can always have the inside surface built up with braze once it s good and clean if you are worried about thin spots

[Joe L.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

you can always have the inside surface built up with braze once it s good and clean if you are worried about thin spots

clem------


That's exactly what I would do. Then, I'd paint the inside of the pan with Rustoleum.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

clem------


That's exactly what I would do. Then, I'd paint the inside of the pan with Rustoleum.

i would not trust paint to stick to brass. maybe power coated

[Dan D.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

Why paint it at all? Not necessary when submerged in oil. -Dan-

[Clem Z.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

Why paint it at all? Not necessary when submerged in oil. -Dan-

once you fill in the thin areas with brass i would not think you need any other protection. i know the new GM pans are power coated inside but i bet that is just for shipping and storage so they don't rust till they get filled with oil.

[John R.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

Thanks everyone, I purchased the pan and look forward to restoring it...

[Joe L.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

once you fill in the thin areas with brass i would not think you need any other protection. i know the new GM pans are power coated inside but i bet that is just for shipping and storage so they don't rust till they get filled with oil.

clem------

I'm not sure if the new pans are powder coated or painted. However, whatever it is, it's done on both PRODUCTION and SERVICE pans.

As you probably know, high performance engine builders paint the lifter valley and other internal engine areas with Rustoleum or Glyptal paint. As far as I know, this is still done. I've never heard of any problems associated with it.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

clem------

I'm not sure if the new pans are powder coated or painted. However, whatever it is, it's done on both PRODUCTION and SERVICE pans.

As you probably know, high performance engine builders paint the lifter valley and other internal engine areas with Rustoleum or Glyptal paint. As far as I know, this is still done. I've never heard of any problems associated with it.

i was always leery of painting anything inside a engine after it had oil on i. new metal may be a different thing. i always had things like the windage tray and the inside of the pan coated with a oven baked on teflon coating

[Joe L.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

i was always leery of painting anything inside a engine after it had oil on i. new metal may be a different thing. i always had things like the windage tray and the inside of the pan coated with a oven baked on teflon coating

clem------


Yes, whenever internal painting is done, the parts have to be scrupulously clean and 100% free of any oil.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

clem------


Yes, whenever internal painting is done, the parts have to be scrupulously clean and 100% free of any oil.

i preferred to grind the surface of the blocks in the tappet valley to smooth up that surface for faster oil return.

[Troy P.]

Re: Pitted (on the inside) Oil Pan 1957

After assembling the engine on my '54 I found that some of the pits did leak. So I removed the pan, cleaned it and poured in a high temp epoxy that covered the bottom nicely. You can also use Glyptol paint which is quite thick. You racers out there are familiar with using Glyptol to coat the rough casting areas of the heads inside the valve covers to promote return flow of oil.