We're replacing the stock 350 with an early (vintage '74) 4 bolt 350 short block having the 2 piece crank seal and left hand (driver side) dip stick in a '89 F-Bird. What application oil pan can we use for clearing the crossmember and header pipe?? Also does the stock cast iron header present a problem for the oil dip stick??
Hoping to pick up something in a yard somewhere.

Making progress on this project, and appreciate the responses to dilemmas you've provided to date.

 

The oil pan is pretty standard. The chances of you getting ahold of a '79-earlier pan that wouldn't work would be pretty slim.

Cast iron manifolds with driver's side dipstick is a problem. I've heard guys say they bent the tube to get it to clear, but it sounds pretty ugly to me. Headers is a much better solution (clears the dipstick tube and improves performance). A Lokar flex dipstick is another option ($41.95 from Summit).

I assume you also know you need a two-piece rear main seal flex plate for the older engine.

 

five7kid,
Flexplate?
The current pan on the old block has a smaller radius lip which mates with the seal installed on the rear main. Are you referring to the (GM #10051118) adapter plate to use a late model pan with a block machined for a one piece seal?

Research w/GM parts so far has come up with two 5 qt Z-28 pans, #465220 or #360450. I would also think my solution to be a dime a dozen for a 5 quart pan.

Thanks.

 

Try a rebuilder's shop. They make a dipstick relocator that gets bolted to the side of the early block and relocates the dipstick to the passenger side, allowing you to re-use your dipstick, tube and oilpan.

Goodson

 

If you have a pan on the older engine, it should work, that's what I'm saying.

The flexplate is the "flywheel" for automatic transmission cars. The older two-piece rear main seal cranks used a different one than '86-later one-piece rear main seal cranks.

 

If you wanted to go with an aftermarket pan for more oil clearance, I bet Moroso or Milodon make pans to fit that vintage block in a third gen chassis. May be more money though.

Also I was considering what Plain82 said. Who would that work out? Would you just plug the block on the DS and have the oil pan modified to accomodate the dipstick on the PS? I am just curious.

 

The 465220 fits perfectly into these cars. I ran one for about 12 years on my 400, and it will be going back in along with that motor when it goes back.

That pan does require a windage tray however. It is not an option. If you run it without a tray as it was designed for, you will have major oiling probems under hard braking and cornering. I ran the Moroso windage tray with mine.

Not all old pans will fit. The ones off of trucks and full-size cars will probably not. Ones from A and G bodies will, as well as 2nd gen or newer F cars.

There is absolutely no way to "modify" a driver's side dipstick pan to work on a pass side dipstick block. That comment is truly typical of the sort one hears from one who has not actually tried such a thing.

 

I did not think it was possible either. I have never heard of anyone modifying an oil pan to change the location of the dipstick. Seems like it would be way more trouble than it worth.

 

What I posted does not modify the pan. It simply enables you to move the dipstick to the PS on an older block and use the pan for the PS configuration.

 

How?

 

http://www.goodson.com/instr/OSD-60.pdf

The .pdf is pretty self explanatory. Basically, you drill and tap 2 holes on the passenger side of the block, bolt the piece on and make a small notch in the pan-mounting area. Fill in the dipstick tube hole on the driver's side and you're done. I've seen one that a friend used on his 80 Corvette with a 73 block and it turned out well. I'll be using the same thing on the 74 350 block going into my 83 Z28.

 

As far as the oil pan I bought the Summit extra capacity pan that holds 7 qts-the bottom is square so you don't lose ground clearance, when I bought it last year it was only $79 now I think it's $99, I also installed the Mildon windage tray and oil pump block.