I'm installing a 383 in my 87 camaro and I am using a 77 350 block so I need a new oil pan but all the ones I see in the summit catalog say they won;t work with a 383. I've heard that a pan from a second gen Z28 will work and still clear the Y-pipe does this sound right or do you have any other suggestions?

 

call jegs 1-800-345-4545 and tell them what you want, i'm sure they can find you an oil pan. the dip stick location is differant on the earlier block and at some point gm changed the size of the radius on the ends of the pan, but other than that i don't know of any differances.

------------------
ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

was there any diff from a old 305 to a old 400 pan? i thought all small block pans were the same untill they switched sides with the dipstick?
if so, there shouldnt be too much of a prob. on miy old 350 replacing new 305 swap i just had to stick a screwdriver in between the pan and y pipe and bend like a 1/8inch to be sure it wouldnt rattle.

 

Oil pans 1974 and earlier use a front seal that's 1/4" thick. In 1975 they started using a front seal that is 3/8" thick. You can use either pan but you just need to use the proper front seal. Oil pan gasket sets usually come with both front seal. Up to 1979 the dipstick was on the left side (passenger). Starting in 1980 all dipsticks are on the right side. Starting in 1986 they started using a one piece rear main seal.

All you need is a pre-80 oil pan and use the proper front seal.

------------------
Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

[This message has been edited by Stephen 87 IROC (edited July 02, 2001).]

 

There are additional differences based on chassis clearance.

I'm using the old (70-71) Z28 6-quart pan on the 400 in my 83. It fits everything fine: the frame, exhaust, etc. It does however require a windage tray since it has no baffle of that sort.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Those differences usually refer to steering linkage. Older cars such as mid 60's nova's have steering linkage behind the crossmember requiring a special oil pan with a cutout to clear the linkage.

Stock "truck" oil pans may be slightly different since they have more room and the pan sump may extend further forward but I can't say for sure. My 79 4x4 used a standard pan.

The type of pan you don't want to get is one with kickouts on the side of the sump for extra capacity. Those pans limit exhaust routing.