How to ID a Small Block Oil Pan 60's - 80's

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krazykuda

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krazykuda submitted a new Article:

How to ID a SB Oil Pan 60's - 80's

Some people have been asking how to identify a small block oil pan. Here is how to tell the differences in the pans from 273-318-340-360.


Basically the 273-318-340 are interchangeable and there were two basic "series" of them.

Also the oil pans for the trucks are different than the oil pans for the cars because the "hump" in the pan is in different locations. For the truck pans the "hump" is on the end, and for cars it is more toward the center. You cannot use a truck pan on a car as the hump will interfere with the crossmember:

Here is the truck pan with the "hump" on the end.

View attachment 1714944087

Here is the car pan with the "hump" in the middle:

View attachment 1714944088

Here is a pan from a 68 318 that is basically what came from 64 - 69 (I think 69 was the last year). It is easy to identify as it has 6 holes for the "nubs/nipples/tits/etc" on the end seal gasket. This will fit any 273-318-340, but you have to make sure that your gasket kit comes with the proper end gasket for the early pan with all of the nubs:

Here's a full view of the pan:

View attachment 1714944089

Here's a close up of one end showing the 6 holes for the nubs on the gasket to go through:

View attachment 1714944090

Here is the 70 and later style 318-340 oil pan. It only has two holes for "nubs/nipples/tits/etc" on the ends only. One hole is bigger than the other so you have to pay attention to get the small nub in the small hole and the larger nub in the larger hole. This will fit any 273-318-340:

Here's the later 70 and later style pan with the "newer" end gaskets. Both ends of the pan take the same end gasket:

View attachment 1714944091

Here's a close up of the end gasket area of the pan:

View attachment 1714944092

Here is a close up of the opposite end that also takes the same gasket:

View attachment 1714944093

Here is the 360 pan. It has two different end gaskets on each end. One end/gasket is the same as the 70 and later pan as shown above, and the opposite end takes the unique gasket for the 360. You must have the end that is unique to the 360 with the "ribs" around the radius for the seal. If you see these ribs on one end of an oil pan, this should tell you that it is a 360 pan."

Here's a full view of a 360 pan that takes different gaskets for each end. One of thegaskets is the same as the 273-318-340 pan as shown earlier, the other end takes the gasket that is unique to the 360 only. There is a rib on the pan on the end where this gasket goes. If you see this rib, it is a dead give away that it is a 360 pan. This end is also a smaller diameter than the other end that is the same as the 70 and later 318-340 pan:

View attachment 1714944095

Here's the end of the 360 pan that takes the same gasket as the 70 and later 318-340:

View attachment 1714944096

Here's the unique end for the 360. Notice the rib around the radius where the end seal goes for the rear main. If you see this end with the rib around the radius, then it is a 360 pan:

View attachment 1714944097

Now you know how to identify a small block oil pan. You don't have to rely on someone telling you what pan you are looking at in a swap meet, as you can tell for yourself so you know you are buying what you want/need. Study hard as there is a quiz next Friday...
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Do you know what is part number for correct oil pan that will fit the 360 LA with 727 transmission in a 1966 Plymouth Valiant convertible? I already have the correct V8 centerlink.

THANKS!!!!!
 
flynlady said:
Do you know what is part number for correct oil pan that will fit the 360 LA with 727 transmission in a 1966 Plymouth Valiant convertible? I already have the correct V8 centerlink.

THANKS!!!!!
Click to expand...

I would think that the standard car pan will, but I'm not sure.


I'm involved with putting a couple of 360's into early A-bodies, but I haven't gotten to the point to install them yet and make sure that there are no steering linkage interference, like with some of the 6 cylinder pans. I have a few more projects to complete before I can get to build and install the one in my 66 Valiant station wagon.


The best way that I could think is to put an early 273 pan (64-66) next to the 360 car pan and look for any differences. Ie. dimples for steering clearance. If there are any differences, we may have to make any necessary "clearance dimples" ourselves, as the 360 wasn't available when these cars were made and I'm not sure if anyone makes a special pan for them - (hopefully that means that the standard 360 car pan will work). I'm not sure that there would be enough sales volume for a company to make a unique one for that application as it is not a common build.

We should start a thread in the SB tech question and ask if any members have already done this and if the standard stock car pan will work. I'm sure somebody has put a 360 into an early A-body somewhere....
 
thanks for the great detail-- this needs to be put in the tech section ,Lawrence
 
Krazy

I came here looking for THE EXACT INFO that Flynlady was looking for! I'm in his exact position right now, except I'm preparing a 360 Magnum going into a 1965 Valiant conv. Need to procure a pan. I need to know which one works!

If there is a link that we could include to lead us to whom might have done this, it would be huge. Flynlady, if you found your info, please consider returning with an update!

Best to all.
 
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