...and yet more problems as I go.

I have an exhaust leak at the header/Y-pipe. This is due to the oil pan on the new 383ci engine I have installed. The diameter of the pipe is too large for the curve of the pan. Hence , it rubs the pan and will not seal at the header.

This exhaust was in the car on my 305, with stock pan, and had plenty of clearance. The exhaust is an SLP full header to tailpipe, with 5.7 "large" diameter header!

Should I get a stock pan from GM or should I get a larger pan? If larger , any sugesstions on what might work/clear the exhaust? I may have a large volume pump....with this play a factor with a stock pan?

The pan is chome, and I kinda want to change it any way....they retain WAY too much heat. Just wish I knew this while it (383) was on the stand!!

TIA


80's AL

80' Berlinetta
89' RS (currently under construction)
97' BIG Dodge Truck:hail:

 

The best pan to use depends on what kind of block it is. LH or RH dipstick specifically.

There's nothing wrong with using a stock pan in most cases.

There's also nothing to be gained by using a high-volume oil pump on an engine that doesn't have significant oiling system modifications. If you don't have a cross-drilled crank with rods gun-drilled from end to end and grooved bearings, a high volume pump will do more harm than good; all it does is increase the load on the timing set and distributor gear, and use up horsepower, doing nothing. If you think you even might have a HV pump on there, get rid of it; put on a regular Melling M55 with the right screen for your pan (a 55S, not S1 or S2, for these cars), a Mr Gasket 26 relief spring, and a Melling IS55E pump drive shaft with a metal collar instead of the little plastic one.

 

It is a LH dipstick....older block.

Not sure about the pump....I need to look back through my paperwork/reciepts!!

80's AL

 

I had the same issue with my 355ci in my 82 z-28. I have a set of Hedman headers with their y-pipe and it also hit the bottom of the oil pan, so I got a couple of exhaust doughnuts that I put in between the y-pipe and the header collector and it gave me about 1/4-3/8 in. of clearance without the y-pipe dropping more than a 1/2 in below the crossmember. I just went to the parts store and got several different types and found the one that works. No leaks whatsoever.
I agree with the other guy about the high volume pump, I took mine out and put the M-55 mellings pump in and I have all the pressure I need.
Hope this is an idea for you..
cc82z-28

 

cc 82z-28,

are you sayin you doubled the doughnut gaskets or did you just get a thicker doughnut?

Thanks,

80's AL

 

80's AL,
What I did was to put one doughnut on each collector so that it was even and putting no stress on the pipe. I loosened the collector bolts, which are about 2-1/2 to 3in. long, but did not take them off, so that pipe was hanging there. Then I was able to slid the doughnuts into place and center them as I drew them up tight taking care to do a little on each bolt. The part number of the doughnut I used and worked on my Hedman Elite headers is a Fel-Pro doughnut part number 60854 for a 90-93 Cadillac V8 273-300ci engine. This doughnut has a conical shape on one side and a flat side with a short sleeve on it. I put the flat side to the collector on the header and the conical side into the y-pipe. I haven't had problem since I put these on, no leaks and enough clearance for the oil pan but not a problem with y-pipe and the ground and I have my car lowered about 1-1/2 in.
Hope this helps you, let me know.
cc82z-28

 

Milodon makes a "claimer" pan that I am going to use. It has a windage tray and such built in, but appears totally stock on the outside. In order to look stock, the dimemsions should be close to a stock pans. Give them a shout and see if it will work for you. They are like $99.

Mark