1972 LS-5 Oil Pan Dimple?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LS-5 Oil Pan Dimple?

Joe, I have no separate windage tray other than the baffle that's welded into the incorrect pan. (Some ebay comparisons seem to indicate this pan was used on mid to late-60s 396/427 Camaros, Chevelles, El Caminos, and Novas.) So, tell me if I'm understanding how this separate windage tray attaches (didn't get many google image results): studs (3902885) are used in place of 4 mains bolts and the tray attaches with nuts to the short section of stud extending beyond the mains housings. A little bit odd that all of my mains bolts appear to match with the dog-bone logo on them, but maybe that was just about the only mains bolts around at the time.



I trust you understand that I'm not disputing that this pan is incorrect for my car. I can certainly see a previous owner hitting a rock or something and needing to replace the pan -- or maybe just wanted the stock pan off it because it had the separate windage tray.

I noticed some stampings in the mains area of the block and will ask what these may be under a separate message. Thanks for all the time and effort you've put into my oil pan!

Owen------


Yes, the pan you pictured was the configuration used on many Chevrolet passenger cars and light trucks with big block over the 1965-74 period. I have no information that it was ever used on Corvettes. The Corvette pan was exclusive to Corvettes.

The external baffle attaches to studs which replace the bolts on the #3 and #4 main bearing caps as well as the oil pump retaining bolt.

One more thing: are you certain that the entire engine is a Corvette engine? Does it have an engine code and VIN derivative that matches your car? Do the stampings appear legitimate? It could be a case of a correct pan but an incorrect engine.

[Owen L.]

Re: 1972 LS-5 Oil Pan Dimple?

One more thing: are you certain that the entire engine is a Corvette engine? Does it have an engine code and VIN derivative that matches your car? Do the stampings appear legitimate? It could be a case of a correct pan but an incorrect engine.

Pretty sure all is correct, here are photos of the block:

1972 Build Sheet-1.jpg IMG_2519.jpeg IMG_2521.jpeg IMG_2520.jpeg

The heads and intake have correct casting numbers and dates that fall in a small range of the block's casting date.
I think the easiest explanation is that the pan was replaced for whatever reason.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LS-5 Oil Pan Dimple?

Pretty sure all is correct, here are photos of the block:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]97718[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]97719[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]97720[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]97721[/ATTACH]

The heads and intake have correct casting numbers and dates that fall in a small range of the block's casting date.
I think the easiest explanation is that the pan was replaced for whatever reason.

Owen-----


Yes, the stampings look right to me. So, it must be a case of a pan replaced along the way.