Canton Pan, How much Oil???????
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 1
From: Drive it Like You Hate it Cincinnati OH
Canton Pan, How much Oil???????
Hey Guys,
When I bought my '96 LT4 2 years ago, it already had the Canton Road Race oil pan. I've had the pan off before, and it seems to have their pick-up on it as well.
My question: How much oil should I be running in this thing? I assume the stock Dipstick is not accurate. I usually run around 7 qts....
When I bought my '96 LT4 2 years ago, it already had the Canton Road Race oil pan. I've had the pan off before, and it seems to have their pick-up on it as well.
My question: How much oil should I be running in this thing? I assume the stock Dipstick is not accurate. I usually run around 7 qts....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Let me qualify this answer..I have never used a non stock oil pan...but..you are not changing the depth or length of the dipstick and it measures the level based on a distance from the top of the tube not from the bottom of the pan, so the dipstick should still be accurate.. Anybody else..that's my story and I'm sticking to it unless I hear a good argument against..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 1
From: Drive it Like You Hate it Cincinnati OH
That's a good story to stick to.
The canton pan has 'wings' to hold more oil, and trap doors to keep it from sloshing. I think it's a slight bit deeper(i think the canton pick-up is lower, as well), which is the reason for the question.
The canton pan has 'wings' to hold more oil, and trap doors to keep it from sloshing. I think it's a slight bit deeper(i think the canton pick-up is lower, as well), which is the reason for the question.
Last edited by FoolCrzy; May 4, 2005 at 09:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Yes the pickup should be lower. Should be about 1/4 to 3/8 in from bottom, I may have that wrong, but it is close. Doesn't matter if pan is 18 inches deep, pickup still that close to bottom(gotta keep it covered at all costs).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
i know the search function can be screwy, there are plenty of old threads on this.
the pan holds 6.5 qt for the level to reach the windage tray, plus whatever your filter holds. i use the large pf1218 filter size, so i put in 7.25 qt with my oil/filter changes.
oh, this is assuming the canton 240T.
-michael
the pan holds 6.5 qt for the level to reach the windage tray, plus whatever your filter holds. i use the large pf1218 filter size, so i put in 7.25 qt with my oil/filter changes.
oh, this is assuming the canton 240T.
-michael
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 1
From: Drive it Like You Hate it Cincinnati OH
OH, btw. What does the dipstick say???
I found this on their site:
"holds 6 quarts which gives a 7 quart system capacity."
I found this on their site:
"holds 6 quarts which gives a 7 quart system capacity."
Last edited by FoolCrzy; May 5, 2005 at 06:26 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
The Canton pan has a lower pickup and it is off set for clearence.
If it were me with the trap doors , scraper, baffel ,so on .
I would remove the pan and pour the oil into the pan and see how much
it will hold without it being filled higher then the windage tray.
With filter mine holds 7 QTs and they say it is to hold 8 qts without the filter.
The kick out on the sides can be deciving.
I hope your oil pick up is held in with a bolt and not the stud canton sent with the pump?
If you check the threads on the oil pump stud ,not enough threads to hold the pump in tight.
With that pan the engine oil will be alot cooler .
Not at 230 to 240 all the time.
If it were me with the trap doors , scraper, baffel ,so on .
I would remove the pan and pour the oil into the pan and see how much
it will hold without it being filled higher then the windage tray.
With filter mine holds 7 QTs and they say it is to hold 8 qts without the filter.
The kick out on the sides can be deciving.
I hope your oil pick up is held in with a bolt and not the stud canton sent with the pump?
If you check the threads on the oil pump stud ,not enough threads to hold the pump in tight.
With that pan the engine oil will be alot cooler .
Not at 230 to 240 all the time.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: providence ut
I have one on ny 85,,,,,,the pan holds 6 qts with one in the filter this lowers the oil level one inch compared to the stock pan for more clearence between the crank and oil for road racing etc. my dip stick reads at the add one quart mark when full with this pan........you could add more oil if you wanted but with the design of the pan its not needed.............you will have to inform shops of this or it will be over filled during oil changes.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
With the stock filter I use 7qts/oil change. That puts the oil level halfway between "add" and "full" on the dipstick. I run this level on the street.
On the track, I fill the oil to the full mark on the dipstick. I do this because the g-forces in the corners slow the oil return from the cylinder heads to the pan due to slosh. This is particularly true at tracks that have long sweepers or use the banked corners of high speed ovals as part of the track.
On the track, I fill the oil to the full mark on the dipstick. I do this because the g-forces in the corners slow the oil return from the cylinder heads to the pan due to slosh. This is particularly true at tracks that have long sweepers or use the banked corners of high speed ovals as part of the track.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Double Oak TX
Originally Posted by MSR
i know the search function can be screwy, there are plenty of old threads on this.
the pan holds 6.5 qt for the level to reach the windage tray, plus whatever your filter holds. i use the large pf1218 filter size, so i put in 7.25 qt with my oil/filter changes.
oh, this is assuming the canton 240T.
-michael
the pan holds 6.5 qt for the level to reach the windage tray, plus whatever your filter holds. i use the large pf1218 filter size, so i put in 7.25 qt with my oil/filter changes.
oh, this is assuming the canton 240T.
-michael
I used to stuff as much oil in it as I could based upon the theory that the level on the dipstick is where it should be. Did a little playing around on the dyno with six quarts and found out it picked up power and the oil pressure did not change.
I run six and it reads way low. but runs great.
Denny
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
How about I just trade you a stock pan for it and you won't have to worry about it anymore.... 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Canton Pan - Intermittent Low Oil Light
Since it appears that there is some knowledge regarding the Canton oil pan in this thread I have a question that y'all may be able to answer. I have a canton 7qt pan installed on my '93 LT1. The low oil light intermittently goes on at start up. Simply turning the engine on and off clears the low oil light. Once cleared it never comes on again until the engine is off and then again intermittently may or may not come on. Any ideas what may be causing this anomaly?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Originally Posted by 93lt1fun
Since it appears that there is some knowledge regarding the Canton oil pan in this thread I have a question that y'all may be able to answer. I have a canton 7qt pan installed on my '93 LT1. The low oil light intermittently goes on at start up. Simply turning the engine on and off clears the low oil light. Once cleared it never comes on again until the engine is off and then again intermittently may or may not come on. Any ideas what may be causing this anomaly?
