1969 427 390HP Windage Tray?

[Neil S.]

I have been told that my 1969 427 390HP Corvette came stock with a windage tray. When I installed the engine it had no windage tray, all it had was the Corvette oil pan with the door. Is it true that It came with one? Do I need one? Will I damage the engine without one? If It came with one where may I purchase it and what does it bolt to? I am taking the pan off tomorrow and repairing a crack in the pan.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1969 427 390HP Windage Tray?

My 1970 454, which uses the same 512 block as a late 427, had a windage tray.

[Steven S.]

Re: 1969 427 390HP Windage Tray?

You have to replace a couple of the main bearing bolts with a different bolt with a stud on the end for mounting the tray. I really don't think you are in risk of hurting anything without one.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 427 390HP Windage Tray?

I have been told that my 1969 427 390HP Corvette came stock with a windage tray. When I installed the engine it had no windage tray, all it had was the Corvette oil pan with the door. Is it true that It came with one? Do I need one? Will I damage the engine without one? If It came with one where may I purchase it and what does it bolt to? I am taking the pan off tomorrow and repairing a crack in the pan.

Neil-----

Your application originally used an upper baffle (windage tray). The Corvette big block oil pan and oil control system is designed to be used with an upper baffle. Will you damage the engine without one? Well, if it's been this way for many years and the engine survived, then I'd say that answers your question better than I could. However, if I were rebuilding the engine or otherwise had the pan off, I'd install the baffle. To do so, you will need 4 studs of GM #3902885 plus baffle GM #3967854.

[Neil S.]

Re: 1969 427 390HP Windage Tray?

Joe, I assume that these parts are still available? and are they the same as original?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 427 390HP Windage Tray?

Joe, I assume that these parts are still available? and are they the same as original?

Neil-----


The parts I mentioned remain available from GM. The studs are the same as those originally used, although nuances might be slightly different.

The baffle, itself, is not the one originally used for a 1969. That baffle was GM #3873878, early, and GM #3964275, late. The 3967854 currently available is somewhat different than the 3873878 in the area of the off-sets for the stud mounting. However, it should SERVICE your application just fine. No one will ever know the difference once the pan is installed.