oil pan vs windage tray
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Joined: Mar 2014
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oil pan vs windage tray
I have finally getting around to putting my L82 back together after machining, and am having trouble getting the oil pan to sit down on the windage tray. Are the rails supposed to sit down in the on slots on either side of the windage tray? Bolt holes will not line up and pain does not want to go all the way down. It has been apart 2 years and I don't remember how could not fit. I measured the pickup clearance to the pan bottom and I don't think thats it. Any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
The oil pan should be a little bit off the block when you go to install it due to the windage tray design. If the pan holes do not line up right, and you changed the oil pump pickup, you may have used the wrong pickup. That can throw it off.
The "L-82" pan setup has the 2 long angles running the length of the sides that mate up with a full length windage tray and uses a more common pickup. Has a deeper but narrower front to back sump. Also used on Camaro Z/28 as well as a general "Off Road" service racing part.
The "Corvette only" pan does not have those angles and uses a Corvette only specific oil pump pickup, short length windage tray if equipped. It has a shallow sump that is longer front to back for better ground clearance.
The "L-82" pan setup has the 2 long angles running the length of the sides that mate up with a full length windage tray and uses a more common pickup. Has a deeper but narrower front to back sump. Also used on Camaro Z/28 as well as a general "Off Road" service racing part.
The "Corvette only" pan does not have those angles and uses a Corvette only specific oil pump pickup, short length windage tray if equipped. It has a shallow sump that is longer front to back for better ground clearance.
Last edited by stingr69; Apr 6, 2026 at 08:21 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
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if, IF oil pump was changed to High Volume, those HV pump bodies are longer aka taller, and CAN cause pickup to rest lower. Regardless, that pickup height can be adjusted.
Melling (pump manufacturer) has clear, concise how-to videos about pump-pickup install and height adjustment.
Melling (pump manufacturer) has clear, concise how-to videos about pump-pickup install and height adjustment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,384
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From: Leland , North Carolina
My guess is you don't have the tray all the way down. I had to fight this just a few days ago changing the pan gasket. It has to bottom out on the stud bolt flange. It's a bugger and sharp on the edges.
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