1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

[Joe L.]

I don't know if most folks are aware of it, but the oil pans used for most Corvette applications from 1957 to 1996 were unique to Corvette applications and were not used for any other Chevrolet models. However, there were FIVE model years for which the Corvette oil pans were the same as those used for many other Chevrolet models. Does anyone know what those five model years were?

When someone comes up with this answer (or, eventually, even if no one does), I'll post some other information regarding 1957-96 Corvette oil pans.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

78 to 82 ???

[Edward J.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

Joe, just a guess 75-79 L48 engines

[Dan M.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

68-72 base engine small blocks

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

All------


Well, Edward has it almost right. The answer is 1975-79 Corvettes. However, even though different oil pans were used for the L-48 and L-82, BOTH of the oil pans were also used for other Chevrolet models.

First off, we have the 1957-62 oil pans. During this period there were quite a few slightly different pans. However, they were all "3 step" and all had the drain on the bottom surface of the sump. Actually, I believe that all these pans were based on passenger car pans and may have used some elements of the same die-set used for the passenger car pans. In configuration, they were similar to the passenger car pans of the era. In any event, NONE of the Corvette pans used in PRODUCTION were used for any other Chevrolet application. The various Corvette pan part numbers used over the period did use different internal baffling which probably accounted for most of the significant differences between them.

Next came the C2-EC3 oil pans. As far as small blocks were concerned, there were only TWO oil pans used from 1963-74. These were the "5 quart" GM #3820000 and the "6 quart" GM #3820001. These were both "2 step" oil pans and their configuration was unlike anything used for ANY other Chevrolet application. The 3820001 was identical in configuration to the 3820000 EXCEPT for an elongated sump which added the extra quart of capacity. However, the 3820001 had different internal baffling, including the "trap door" feature.

All 63-74 Corvette small block oil pans used a lower rear drain. Most passenger car pans used a SIDE drain.

The 65-74 big block Corvette oil pans were also unique to Corvettes. There were actually at least 3 different pan part numbers used over the period, but all were very similar, if not identical, in configuration. The main difference was internal baffling changes, particularly the change to accommodate the longer stroke of the 454 for 1970. All big block Corvette pans used a lower rear drain plug. Most, if not all, passenger car pans used a side drain configuration

For 1975-79, things changed. The unique-to-Corvette oil pans were gone. Instead, L-48 used, basically, the same oil pan used for many earlier passenger cars of most other Chevrolet models. The only real difference was the front oil pan seal radius. However, many other 1975+ Chevrolet models used exactly the same pan as the 75-79 Corvette pans.

The 75-79 oil pans used a deeper, but shorter sump than 63-74 small block Corvette pans. They were of the same 5 quart capacity used for most 1963-74 Corvette pans and they continued to use the left side dipstick which dated right back to the beginning (except early 1956). The L-48 pan used very simple internal baffling.

The L-82 pan differed from the L-48 pan in only one way. This pan had internal. spot welded-on "rails" which were designed to work in conjunction with an external, stud-mounted oil baffle tray. This resulted in a pan and baffle arrangement which provided excellent oil slosh control and crankshaft separation. A version of this arrangement was first used for 1969 Z-28 Camaros and is often referred to as the "Z-28 pan". In fact, the 75-79 L-82 Corvette pan and external baffle is identical to the "Z-28 pan" except for the front oil pan seal radius. The 75-79 Corvette L-82 pan was also used for Z-28's of that period and replaced the earlier Z-28 pan for SERVICE. It's an excellent pan and baffle combination, but it's not uniquely Corvette.

For 80-85, it was "back to the future". Corvette oil pans returned to the exact same configuration as used for 63-74 except for 2 differences: first, the front oil pan seal radius was revised to the larger radius used for all 75+ small block pans. Second, the dipstick relief was relocated to the right side of the pan. Otherwise, these pans were identical to the 63-74 "5 quart" pans and were uniquely Corvette pieces.

For 1986-90 Corvette small block pans were identical to the 80-85 EXCEPT the rear oil seal radius was revised again to accommodate the 1 piece rear main seal block configuration. Still, these pans were uniquely Corvette and not used for any other Chevrolet models, at all.

Finally, the 1991-96 pans were the same as earlier except they incorporated a fitting for an oil level sensor in the side of the sump.

Of course, 1990-95 ZR-1 used an oil pan that was unique to Corvette because the engine, itself, was unique to Corvette.

As it turns out, the basic configuration of the 5 quart oil pan first used for the 1963 model year is the same as that used for the 1996 model year, the last year a Gen I or II small block was used in a Corvette.

Next up when I get around to it will be some information on oil pump pick-up screens for 1955-96 Corvette small blocks and 1965-74 Corvette big blocks.

[Edward M.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

Joe;

Wasn't the 57 Corvette oil pan also used on 2 ton trucks?
I know that is true for the second design 56 oil pans.

[David L.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

According to one of my 60 or so Chevrolet parts catalogs, specifically the 1957 issue (effective March 1, 1957) the 3736615 oil pan is listed for the 57 CORV. & 57 Ser. 6 (8 cyl.) truck described as "w/pin (18 holes, 4 marked B)". The 3727732 oil pan is listed for the 56 CORV. & 56 UTIL. (8 cyl.) truck.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

According to one of my 60 or so Chevrolet parts catalogs, specifically the 1957 issue (effective March 1, 1957) the 3736615 oil pan is listed for the 57 CORV. & 57 Ser. 6 (8 cyl.) truck described as "w/pin (18 holes, 4 marked B)". The 3727732 oil pan is listed for the 56 CORV. & 56 UTIL. (8 cyl.) truck.

David and Ed------

I believe the GM #3736615 and GM #3727732 were the oil pans used in PRODUCTION for the trucks and became the SERVICE oil pans for Corvettes as well as the trucks. I don't think that either one was ever used in PRODUCTION for a Corvette. These pans had a large NPT pipe fitting on the side that was used for the truck application. It was plugged with a square head pipe plug for the Corvette application. Otherwise, I believe the truck pan and the Corvette pan were the same. Nevertheless, the PRODUCTION Corvette pan was not used for other applications. As far as I know, the exact pan used in PRODUCTION for the Corvette applications was never available in SERVICE.

[Domenic C.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

Hi Joe I Have a 57 vette built in oct 56 woundering what oil pan I need to get (orig. used) and if you know where i can find one .Thank you for your time,dom My engine is a 270 hp dual quad

[Roy B.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

David and Ed------

I believe the GM #3736615 and GM #3727732 were the oil pans used in PRODUCTION for the trucks and became the SERVICE oil pans for Corvettes as well as the trucks. I don't think that either one was ever used in PRODUCTION for a Corvette. These pans had a large NPT pipe fitting on the side that was used for the truck application. It was plugged with a square head pipe plug for the Corvette application. Otherwise, I believe the truck pan and the Corvette pan were the same. Nevertheless, the PRODUCTION Corvette pan was not used for other applications. As far as I know, the exact pan used in PRODUCTION for the Corvette applications was never available in SERVICE.

This is the one

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

You need a pan that looks similar to Roy's photo, but with a driver's side dipstick through the block, one long and one short intend minus the passenger side plug and right hand dipstick that were on first design 1956 Corvette engine oil pans. Gary....

[Roy B.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

Or do what some have take it to a metal shop and remove the side plug and repair the pan. Now you have the correct pan
or is that cheating

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

Hi Joe I Have a 57 vette built in oct 56 woundering what oil pan I need to get (orig. used) and if you know where i can find one .Thank you for your time,dom My engine is a 270 hp dual quad

Domenic-----

If you can find an NOS GM #359937 that will be the closest thing you can get to the original pan used for your application. This will be a bit hard to find and expensive, though.

You can also use any used original pan from a 1957-62 Corvette. There were slight differences in pans used over this period but all will function perfectly but might differ from the original in very minor ways.

[Henry F.]

Re: 1957-96 Corvette Oil Pans

Or do what some have take it to a metal shop and remove the side plug and repair the pan. Now you have the correct pan
or is that cheating

Only if you get caught!