When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a L82 small block and the oil pan conflicts with the pickup. The front of the pickup is 10 inches from the rear oil pan mtg holes which puts it too far forward, ie it hits the pan. What do I need to get this to work
I'm not trying to be a "wise guy", here, but I don't see the problem. You ARE aware that the oil pickup slides under the baffle, and into the "pocket" that's formed by the baffle, right?? However, on the other hand, the "loop" of tubing, on the pickup, does look like it stretches out a bit more than other pickup tubes I've seen. Do you have the right pickup?
It hits the pan, not the baffle. I think the original vette pan is larger like 5 quarts. My new one is a 4 quart so i will need a different pickup i believe.
It hits the pan, not the baffle. I think the original vette pan is larger like 5 quarts. My new one is a 4 quart so i will need a different pickup i believe.
From the picture the pickup looks correct. It should be ~4.5 quart pan, all those oil pickup tubes were the same for decades for sbc. You might have to just adjust the pickup tube a little with a tap or two, then I would tack it or braze it in place. I've seen pickup tubes come loose before, it's cheap insurance.
The Corvette pickup is different and specific to the Corvette only. If you bought the regular SBC pickup it will not fit the Corvette pan. The angle is different.
Last edited by stingr69; Nov 26, 2022 at 07:21 PM.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
There are 2 different oil pump pickup screens - one "regular" small block, and one Corvette-unique that fits the L79 and L82. The length, angle, and curve of the pickup tube is completely different on the two different pickups, and they will not interchange. You have the "regular" pickup, and it's not going to fit your baffled L82 pan.
From an '80 L-82, uses the long reach pickup
It is year specific depending on the year of the pan. ....There is a Melling 55-S1 which is shorter reach forward used in the earlier Vettes while the Melling 55-S3 (which is the longer reach forward) is used on an '80-82. Note the short length windage tray as the earlier full length tray will not fit the late C3 pan. Melling has a good lookup feature on the web site that has pictures and part numbers for the different applications.
The '79 L-82 uses a different pan with a full length windage tray and a short reach to the front pickup. The sump is not as long as the earlier Corvette pans. Long windage tray used on a '79 L-82. Many other applications. Short length front to back sump uses shorter reach to the front pickup. Note the 2 rails on either side to mate up with the long windage tray. Short length front to back sump. '79 L-82 pan. Requires the short reach front to back pickup.
Note the longer sump length front to back. 1970 Corvette pan. Requires the long reach to the front oil pump pickup.
Last edited by stingr69; Nov 27, 2022 at 12:10 PM.
I was reading that the 84-85 models started using a one piece oil pan gasket which seems real nice BUT I have a 1975 L82 (with a new 4 qt pan). The only difference I know between the small blocks is the side the dipsick is on which the one piece gasket has provisions for both. Are there other differences like the groove at the rear main. Would hate to use the one piece and then it leaked but it sure makes the install a breeze.
I was reading that the 84-85 models started using a one piece oil pan gasket which seems real nice BUT I have a 1975 L82 (with a new 4 qt pan). The only difference I know between the small blocks is the side the dipsick is on which the one piece gasket has provisions for both. Are there other differences like the groove at the rear main. Would hate to use the one piece and then it leaked but it sure makes the install a breeze.
There are a couple of one piece pan gaskets, I believe 74 is the split. 74 and earlier and 75 up. I have a 78 4 bolt block and the one piece gasket. I think the difference is the front and or rear seals. I'm not what year changed to passenger side dipstick.
There are 2 different oil pump pickup screens - one "regular" small block, and one Corvette-unique that fits the L79 and L82. The length, angle, and curve of the pickup tube is completely different on the two different pickups, and they will not interchange. You have the "regular" pickup, and it's not going to fit your baffled L82 pan.
Standard SBC pickup:
Corvette Pickup:
Lars
Might just be me, but the OP's picture looks more like your Corvette pickup picture than your standard pickup picture.
From an '80 L-82, uses the long reach pickup
It is year specific depending on the year of the pan. ....There is a Melling 55-S1 which is shorter reach forward used in the earlier Vettes while the Melling 55-S3 (which is the longer reach forward) is used on an '80-82. Note the short length windage tray as the earlier full length tray will not fit the late C3 pan. Melling has a good lookup feature on the web site that has pictures and part numbers for the different applications.
The '79 L-82 uses a different pan with a full length windage tray and a short reach to the front pickup. The sump is not as long as the earlier Corvette pans. Long windage tray used on a '79 L-82. Many other applications. Short length front to back sump uses shorter reach to the front pickup. Note the 2 rails on either side to mate up with the long windage tray. Short length front to back sump. '79 L-82 pan. Requires the short reach front to back pickup.
Note the longer sump length front to back. 1970 Corvette pan. Requires the long reach to the front oil pump pickup.
I get the longer sump for more oil capacity at a higher ground clearance, but pairing that with a farther forward pickup seems counterintuitive for oil starvation under hard acceleration.
L82 oil pickup
