I built my 383 on a GM truck 350 one piece rear seal block, using an Eagle externally balanced rotating assy. When I installed the oil pan that came with the engine (pickup truck), I see that the rods now hit the oil pan. After MANY calls to various tech lines I cannot find a stock sized pan to fit my application ('82 Z-28). Can I "dimple" the oil pan to gain clearance? How much will I need to "dimple"? Thanks, Andy

 

I'm an internally balanced 383 running the stock 92 pan. For internal clearance I only had to dimple 1 or 2 spots on the pan.
Is your engine still on the stand? If so, flip it upside-down. With the pan not bolted but sitting on the engine, rotate the block. Figure out which ones are hitting. Note how far the pan lifts from the engine. Start banging.
You should be able to dimple quite a bit. Just be careful that you don't have to clearance so much that you lose your flat pan lip in the process.
I would "***"ume that you could go as far as 1/4" before getting concerned.

 

Andy, did you look at Berger or Canton pans? They have stroker pans but like Vipr said, you can dimple usually and not worry. I run a moros 6qt pan myself and have a 91roller block and eagle internal rotating stroker assembly. I'm in process of building so I'll be checking clearance as well.

 

Let me know how that Moroso fits.
My rotating assembly is also Eagle. When I was looking into pan replacement, I couldn't get a straight answer on fitment so I opted to dimple. Turned out to be very minimal and "free".

 

I am interseted in a stock "type" pan. I don't think I really need a larger capacity pan. the Moroso tech guys kinda gave me a generic answer about fitment, and it would require fitment of their pickup. requiring removal of my now welded in pickup. I think I will try the free "dimple" method first and let you guys know how it works out. But I will check out Berger and canton too.

Thanks for the advice, Andy

 

you can always pull the pan set it on a old baseball diamond base and use a dead blow and put a small dent in the pan to make it clear. I know of a few people that have had the same problem that fixed with with a dead blow hammer.

 

its better to get a one piece oil pan gasket and actually grind the pan where the rods hit.

The easiest way to tell where they hit is to get some clay and line the edge of the pan and install it finger tight. Turn the motor until it hits. Clearance the now marked area in the clay. Rinse and repeat until the rotating assembly spins freely.

 

Pound it out where it hits, get a piece of wood and a hammer and have at it! Mine only hit in one spot, pounded it and never looked back...lol