351 oil pan capacity test

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After some questions have come up about oil pan capacity, I decided to do a test. This pan is off of a 92-93 PCM 351 Ford. Cannot find a part number on it but it is the same as the one on my 95. In my Rebuilding Small Block Fords book it is the same pan that was used in the 351 powered Econoline vans. I put in 1 qt of water at a time at 0* engine tilt and 12*Dipstick is part number R041033A  PCM book says inboard use, 5.8 1986 up. Another source says 5.8 1989 up and 1971 through 1985  level mount

0* and 1qt almost touches the dipstick
12* and 1qt- 1/4" below stick

0* and 2qts half way between bottom of stick and add

12* and 2qts

0* and 3qts- now up to Add mark on stick

12* and 3q0* and 4qts is now Full on stick

12* and 4qts is 1/2qt low

0* and 5qts overfull and up to dipstick mounting tube

12* and 5qts Full on stick and up to rear sealing area on the pan to block

outside view of pan

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Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 351 oil pan capacity test Posted: August-14-2015 at 10:24pm
	After some questions have come up about oil pan capacity, I decided to do a test. This pan is off of a 92-93 PCM 351 Ford. Cannot find a part number on it but it is the same as the one on my 95. In my Rebuilding Small Block Fords book it is the same pan that was used in the 351 powered Econoline vans. I put in 1 qt of water at a time at 0* engine tilt and 12* Dipstick is part number R041033A PCM book says inboard use, 5.8 1986 up. Another source says 5.8 1989 up and 1971 through 1985 level mount 0* and 1qt almost touches the dipstick 12* and 1qt- 1/4" below stick 0* and 2qts half way between bottom of stick and add 12* and 2qts 0* and 3qts- now up to Add mark on stick 12* and 3q0* and 4qts is now Full on stick 12* and 4qts is 1/2qt low 0* and 5qts overfull and up to dipstick mounting tube 12* and 5qts Full on stick and up to rear sealing area on the pan to block outside view of pan
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

8122pbrainard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045	Post Options Post Reply Quote 8122pbrainard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-14-2015 at 10:30pm
	Gary, Great information. It should be linked in the FAQ thread. Wow, the things a retired person can come up with!
	54 Atom 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete <

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-14-2015 at 10:50pm
	Yea life is good. Would have been great if I could have worked in a ride!
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

emccallum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: August-08-2006 Location: Clarks Hill SC Status: Offline Points: 1084	Post Options Post Reply Quote emccallum Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2015 at 12:17pm
	Cool experiment. So 4.5 qts is the magic number tipped 12 degrees?

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2015 at 1:57pm
	I would really go by what's called for in your engine's manual. Before I did this I had thought that maybe the dipsticks were mounted more centrally so as when the engine was tilted the oil level read the same. It seems counter productive that when its tilted the oil level can then come in contact with the crank and more so when according to the stick you are low and then add more. I don't think you could order an engine as a 0 degree or 12
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

KRoundy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: August-23-2010 Location: Lake Stevens Status: Offline Points: 1704	Post Options Post Reply Quote KRoundy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2015 at 11:48pm
	Remember too that when you add 5 quarts at an oil change that some of that oil stays in the filter. Not 1/2 a quart, but it might be close I'd think. Boaters have been putting 5 quarts in per oil change for decades on our 351W's. This is very interesting data and the next time I pull my dipstick I'll be thinking of this. Added it to the FAQ.
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Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-16-2015 at 1:31am
	Kevin my PCM owners manual from the mid to late 80's says oil capacity is 4 quarts and 1 for the filter. Also found out on the 351's they used the same pan from '71 to '85. '86 and up same pan but with metric drain plug. '91 and up HO same pan as '86 up but with windage tray. There are several dipsticks depending on year and dipstick tube but for the most part there is one for "level" mount engine and one for "inboard" engine which I would guess is dependent on the engine angle mounting. I think it's safe to say if your pan looks like that one,put 4 quarts in and check the stick. If it's at the full mark your good. If it's low, mark it,thats your new full mark. Put in another for the filter and your done.
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: October-15-2021 at 10:40pm
	Here are some of the pictures missing from the above post - 0 degrees 1 quart- 12 degrees 1 quart- 0 degrees 2 quarts- 12 degrees 2 quarts- 0 degrees 3 quarts- 12 degrees 3 quarts- 0 degrees 4 quarts pan full on dipstick- 12 degrees 4 quarts- 1/2 quart low on dipstick 0 degrees 5 quarts- 12 degrees 5 quarts- Missing picture - Full on stick and up to rear sealing area on the pan to block PCM 351/5.8 oil pan -
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11182	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October-16-2021 at 5:56pm
	I guess that the part number of the tube and the dipstick you used would be good info here

351 oil pan capacity test

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