Oil level

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by 72gs4spd, Sep 22, 2022.

  1. 72gs4spd

    72gs4spd Well-Known Member

    Does anyone happen to know how far below the pan flange the oil level is on a stock 350. Need to find out how long to make my replacement dipstick on the new motor I’m building. Also want to be sure the oil level doesn’t go too high when I prelube with the two quart accumulator. My machinist was going to figure out all the little details but didn’t get to it before his passing. In our discussions he did mention due to the extra capacity of the pan Steve made for me the level maybe lower than a stock pan. Thanks Steve.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2022
  2. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Exactly 3" down, measured off this surface & plane, to the top of the dipstick full mark.
     

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  3. 72gs4spd

    72gs4spd Well-Known Member

    Thanks I can figure out the level in the pan from there. I know my machinist was thinking of lowering the level slightly due to the added capacity of the pan and the accumulator. A conversation we never finished.
     
  4. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    An old racing trick that the nhra guys use when limited to a stock pan is to slightly lower the oil
    Level till the car stops getting faster. The idea is to reduce the oil windage. The higher capacity pan helps keep the oil away from the crank and rods so that helps. I would like to add a sight glass in the side if my pan so it can be checked while running.

    What I would do is this. Measure how much oil your large pan will hold in order to hit the 3” from the dip stick hole mart pointed out. Add that much oil to the engine plus however much you need to fill up the oil accumulation system. Run the car, shut it off and see how much the oil level raised from the 3” mark you put on your dipstick. Adjust as needed. You will end up with more oil in your system vs a stock setup and you shouldn’t have windage issues.

    https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-t...-windage-in-an-engine-and-how-do-we-fight-it/
     

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    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    My Steve Reynolds Pan holds about 8 quarts as near as I can tell. When I fill it with 7 qts, the level is at the add line on a stock dipstick. That is where I run it. I figure the oil level is lower than stock relative to the block, yet the pan holds 2 qts. more.
     
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  6. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    This is good info as I’m in the process of mocking my SRE pan up also on my 350!
     

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