1957 oil pan question

[John G.]

I am working on a 1957 102655, mid-March 2-4 barrel car. I have an oil pan question. I am aware of the "3-step" 5-6quart with filter capacity pan. The middle step is not recessed on the bottom and there are 2 vertical grooves on the sides of the rear stepped portion of the pan, a short groove near the front of the rear step and a long groove running nearly the full height about 3/5 of the way back from the front edge of the rear step. Here is the question. Is there a slight lowering, 1/8 - 3/16 inch, of the rear surface of the third step in the area of the drain plug, a sort of slight sump surrounding the drain plug. It sort of blends into the rear plane of the bottom to the rear. Or--- is the drain plug placed in a plain flat surface of the third step. On page 189 and 190 of the tech manual the early 1956 pan appears flat on the bottom. On page 191 showing the 2nd design 1957 pan I can't tell for sure. Thank you in advance for your feedback. John

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 oil pan question

John,

Appears to be flat in respective to the block flange, but never measure one.

Gary
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IMG_0541 with dimensions.jpg IMG_0233.jpg

[David B.]

Re: 1957 oil pan question

The second design oil pan in '56 was used through all '57 therefore should be the same. Have progressive prints on all pan part numbers. The 2 side indentations should be 6 7/8" and 1 1/4" long. 2 small dimples approx. 2 1/2" apart are located on pan's second step. They were used to line up the inside baffle prior to being spot welded. The same drain plug PN 514395 was used on both 1st and 2nd design. Fastener installation used: 4 Hex Hd bolts w lock washers PN #839896 5/16-18 x 9/16 and 14 Hex Hd machine screws w external star lock washers PN 193938 1/4-20 x 7/16

[Todd H.]

Re: 1957 oil pan question

There is a slight lowering of the area around the plug on my pan on #2968. I can't guarantee the the pan is original, but the engine is and pan has the correct three-step configuration. The car is unrestored.