What Oil Pan do I have?
12-16-2007, 11:15 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
What Oil Pan do I have?
I have a oil pan that I'm dumping on ebay but don't know what it really fits. Any idea from looking at the picture?
It has a pass side dip stick and rear drain plug. Drain plug marking has a "D" in the center.
Thanks
It has a pass side dip stick and rear drain plug. Drain plug marking has a "D" in the center.
Thanks
12-16-2007, 02:18 PM
#3
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12-16-2007, 02:42 PM
#4
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On small blocks, the dipstick moved to the pass side in 77.
With the rare exception of the 56 Corvette oil pans, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 55-76 SB oil pans (pass car and Vette) had the dipstick on the left side (and the 56 pans had the dipstick in the pan, not in the block, similar to a BB).
Therefore, that pan came from some kind of 77-later SB.
Dipstick in 56 Corvette (ONLY) pan.
With the rare exception of the 56 Corvette oil pans, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 55-76 SB oil pans (pass car and Vette) had the dipstick on the left side (and the 56 pans had the dipstick in the pan, not in the block, similar to a BB).
Therefore, that pan came from some kind of 77-later SB.
Dipstick in 56 Corvette (ONLY) pan.
Last edited by DZAUTO; 12-16-2007 at 03:01 PM.
12-16-2007, 03:40 PM
#5
Safety Car
On small blocks, the dipstick moved to the pass side in 77.
With the rare exception of the 56 Corvette oil pans, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 55-76 SB oil pans (pass car and Vette) had the dipstick on the left side (and the 56 pans had the dipstick in the pan, not in the block, similar to a BB).
Therefore, that pan came from some kind of 77-later SB.
Dipstick in 56 Corvette (ONLY) pan.
With the rare exception of the 56 Corvette oil pans, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 55-76 SB oil pans (pass car and Vette) had the dipstick on the left side (and the 56 pans had the dipstick in the pan, not in the block, similar to a BB).
Therefore, that pan came from some kind of 77-later SB.
Dipstick in 56 Corvette (ONLY) pan.
I have that rare 56 oil pan on e-bay now.
12-16-2007, 04:02 PM
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What are you expecting to get for it?
As you know, rare does not always translate to desireable!
As you know, rare does not always translate to desireable!
12-16-2007, 05:23 PM
#7
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1977 and above Chevy oil pan it is. Thanks
12-16-2007, 05:49 PM
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Personally, I think that would be a somewhat desireable pan for 2 reasons. First, because of the long sump (most likely it has a larger capacity), and second, the earlier 350s are beginning to dry up, thus, 77-later SBs with right hand dip sticks are becoming more sought after.
My bad Jeff. Fingers were flying, brain was not engaged!!
12-16-2007, 09:38 PM
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The pan pictured at the top is for a SB. The SB engines had the dipstick going through a passage in the block with a kickout in the pan to accomodate the dipstick passage in the block.
The pans for BB engines actually have the dipstick tube going into the side of the pan itself.
The pans for BB engines actually have the dipstick tube going into the side of the pan itself.
12-17-2007, 05:48 PM
#13
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11
I thought that the dip stick change was in 1979?
And a easy way to tell the difference between the 5 qt. and 6 qt. pans is on the 5 qt., the forward portion of the sump drops down at the 3rd bolt hole back and on the 6 qt. pan the sump drops down at the 2nd bolt hole.
And a easy way to tell the difference between the 5 qt. and 6 qt. pans is on the 5 qt., the forward portion of the sump drops down at the 3rd bolt hole back and on the 6 qt. pan the sump drops down at the 2nd bolt hole.
12-17-2007, 06:59 PM
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It very well may have been 79, or, maybe it was different years depending on vehicle application. In any case, it was the late 70s when the dip stick changed sides.
12-17-2007, 09:10 PM
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The 1956 passenger cars still had the conventional left side dip stick through the block.
12-17-2007, 09:48 PM
#17
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Well my 56 which I really have no idea to its originality, except my fathers bill of sale from 70 says it is. The dipstick is on drivers side. I dont care a whole lot if it is original or not, it would be nice, but whatever. We will know for sure after the holidays when we start its cosmetic restoration. (sorry for the topic change)
12-18-2007, 01:06 PM
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Early 56's (up to about S/N 1660) had the dipstick on the passenger side, and it entered through the side of the oil pan. After that, it was on the driver's side, and entered through the block. 
