'66 sb oil pan depth

[Peter T.]

The Judging Manual says the SB oil pan should be 10 1/2" measured in the sump. Is this wrong or do I have a Chinese tape measure as mine pan (which appears (?) to be original) measures approx. 7". Also I'm using a straight edge to check that the sides are level. Is there a better way to do this? Thanks!

[Larry M.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

What are the length and width of the sump?? I believe the JM is referring to the length.

Put pan on a piece of glass or mirror and use a feeler gage to see if gaps exist.....or put a flashlight in the sump and a rag on the openings on the ends, see if you can see any light at the pan rails.

FWIW.

Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

The Judging Manual says the SB oil pan should be 10 1/2" measured in the sump. Is this wrong or do I have a Chinese tape measure as mine pan (which appears (?) to be original) measures approx. 7". Also I'm using a straight edge to check that the sides are level. Is there a better way to do this? Thanks!

Peter------

If you will post a picture of the pan I could tell you instantly if it's the correct configuration. 1963-74 small block Corvette oil pans are unique to Corvettes and have an easily recognizable configuration.

As a side note: 1980-96 Corvette oil pans are also unique to Corvettes and have a general configuration similar to the "5 quart" 63-74 oil pans. However, they are not interchangeable with 63-74 due to right side dipstick provisions and 1 piece rear main seal for 1986-96.

[Peter T.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

I hope this works! Thanks for your reply Joe.

[Peter T.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Thanks, Larry. The length of the sump until slopes up is approx 10 1/2 ". I did recheck the JM and it does say deep. Heavens, could it be wrong??

Pete

[Tom D.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Does your pan have spot welded (outside) reinforcements in the "corner bolt areas"?

[Joe L.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

I hope this works! Thanks for your reply Joe.

Peter------


This is a correct oil pan for a 1966 Corvette small block. All 1966 Corvette small blocks used a 5 quart oil system and this is the correctoil pan for a 5 quart system. This pan was GM #3820000 and was used for all 1963-74 Corvette small blocks with 5 quart oil system.

[Harry S.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

There were two different oil pans. As I recall, starting in 63 the part number was 3820000. The part changed to 360866 or that is the Service Replacement. With 3820000 you need seal kit 3887151 and with 360866 you need seal kit 12337940. I do not recall when 3820000 was changed to 360866 in production but I'm pretty sure it's after 1965.

The front of 3820000 is 2 1/4 inches deep at the semi-circle and the 360866 is 2 3/8 inches deep at the semi circle.

3820000 had a nut plate spot welded on the inside and 360866 had a hex nut welded on the inside, as pictured in your pan.

Other than that both pans look identical.

[Peter T.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Harry, Thanks for your reply. I just measured the semi circle depth and it's much closer to 3/8 than 1/4. I assume the "nut plate" is for the drain plug. Now I have to see what the seal kit number is on the one I just mordered! I am getting the pan media blasted prior to painting as someone sprayed the pan and alot of other stuff with no prep!

[Peter T.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Thanks, I'm keeping it then. Getting it media blasted and then painted.

[Larry M.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Peter:

Make damn sure you wash and hand clean the pan after blasting to remove ALL the media. Then double check it again. Any abrasive media not removed can be an issue with your new engine.

Larry

[Timothy B.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Harry, Thanks for your reply. I just measured the semi circle depth and it's much closer to 3/8 than 1/4. I assume the "nut plate" is for the drain plug. Now I have to see what the seal kit number is on the one I just mordered! I am getting the pan media blasted prior to painting as someone sprayed the pan and alot of other stuff with no prep!

Peter,

You should tape that pan sealed with duct tape and cardboard and tighten the drain plug before you use sand.

You may also check with your machine shop about shot preening the pump, I don't think the media is as sand, be careful here.

[Harry S.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Last year I had a buddy blow the engine in his 63 as the pan was not cleaned after media blasting. The crap got in the oil and it went down hill from there.

[Larry M.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

Peter,

You should tape that pan sealed with duct tape and cardboard and tighten the drain plug before you use sand.

You may also check with your machine shop about shot preening the pump, I don't think the media is as sand, be careful here.

Tim:

If/when I do my own oil pan I will only use paint stripper and Scotchbrite...........followed by a high pressure water wash. The dry, inspect, and paint.

You have a good plan for sealing the pan prior to blasting and it should work fine............but for me, keep sand and abrasive media about a mile away.

Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: '66 sb oil pan depth

There were two different oil pans. As I recall, starting in 63 the part number was 3820000. The part changed to 360866 or that is the Service Replacement. With 3820000 you need seal kit 3887151 and with 360866 you need seal kit 12337940. I do not recall when 3820000 was changed to 360866 in production but I'm pretty sure it's after 1965.

The front of 3820000 is 2 1/4 inches deep at the semi-circle and the 360866 is 2 3/8 inches deep at the semi circle.

3820000 had a nut plate spot welded on the inside and 360866 had a hex nut welded on the inside, as pictured in your pan.

Other than that both pans look identical.

Harry------


The GM #360866 did not come into being until 1976. It is a SERVICE-only pan never used in PRODUCTION. However, it is identical to the 3820000 except for the rear gasket radius. Just from "eye-balling" this pan looks like the 2-1/4" radius. However, it could well be the 2-3/8". Place it upside down on a flat surface and measure to be sure.

No GM gasket sets are currently available for either pan. For the 3820000 use aftermarket gasket sets for 1955-74 small blocks. For the 360866 use aftermarket gasket sets for 1974-79 small blocks.