I dropped the fresh crate 350 and muncie in my 66 sd today and things went pretty slick except......the Oil pan, which i believe is a 6 liter pan which has a much wider and square front than most oil pans I am familiar with, as the center link of my steering Knocks up against either side of the Oil pan when you turn the wheels sharp I either direction. Anyone have this issue with a new crate engine before? Is this just as simple as installing a post 1985 oil pandemic and gasket?
I remember the big block oil pans had clearance dents so the tie rods wouldnt hit. I dont think the deep pan was used on small blocks in the older models. There probably is an aftermarket oil pan available to fit your crate engine.
After doing a bit of homework I bought and installed a different oil pan yesterday. The new pan is 1 inch shallower up front than the pan that came on my fresh crate engine. Problem solved. Photos show differences in clearance and part numbers of new pan and gasket. Thanks for all the input on my issue.
Crate engines do not take an "old style" oil pan and gasket. In 86 when gm went from the 2 piece rear main seal to the 1 piece rear main seal there was a slight design change in the oil pan and gasket. 86 to 99 are then different than pre 86 and the pre and post 86 oil pans are not compatible. Crate engines post 1986 therefore also accept the 86 to 99 oil pan and gaskets including present day Crate engines is how I understand it.
Crate engines do not take an "old style" oil pan and gasket. In 86 when gm went from the 2 piece rear main seal to the 1 piece rear main seal there was a slight design change in the oil pan and gasket. 86 to 99 are then different than pre 86 and the pre and post 86 oil pans are not compatible. Crate engines post 1986 therefore also accept the 86 to 99 oil pan and gaskets including present day Crate engines is how I understand it.
