6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

[James B.]

I have a '64 fuelie that someone put PS on so that required a 5 qt pan. I am going revert to manual steering as I want the car to be original. Question is which 6 qt pan is correct and if I can't get that how do I adapt later version pan?
From memory, GM had at least three 6 qt(yes, I know, really 5 qt) small block pans, but since the pans don't have part numbers it is hard to tell them apart. I believe the difference was the radius of the pans, front & rear to accommodate different gasket thicknesses?? I tried a search of past posts but couldn't find anything helpful. I seem to remember that the original took a thin gasket; second version was thick & not sure about the last. I need to know the pan measurements- pan rim to the bottom of the radius for front and rear crank seals.
Will appreciate any help and info. JimB

[John H.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

I need to know the pan measurements- pan rim to the bottom of the radius for front and rear crank seals.
Will appreciate any help and info. JimB

Jim -

If that radius (only the front matters - the rear didn't change) is 2-1/4", it takes the original "thin" (0.22") front seal. If it's 2-3/8", it takes the later "thick" (0.41") front seal. Take the measurement without the pan gasket in place.

[Joe L.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

I have a '64 fuelie that someone put PS on so that required a 5 qt pan. I am going revert to manual steering as I want the car to be original. Question is which 6 qt pan is correct and if I can't get that how do I adapt later version pan?
From memory, GM had at least three 6 qt(yes, I know, really 5 qt) small block pans, but since the pans don't have part numbers it is hard to tell them apart. I believe the difference was the radius of the pans, front & rear to accommodate different gasket thicknesses?? I tried a search of past posts but couldn't find anything helpful. I seem to remember that the original took a thin gasket; second version was thick & not sure about the last. I need to know the pan measurements- pan rim to the bottom of the radius for front and rear crank seals.
Will appreciate any help and info. JimB

Jim------


There were three "6 quart" pans. The first was GM #3820001, the second was GM 3956670, and the last was #359942. The 3820001 was used in PRODUCTION for all 1963-65 Corvettes that used "6 quart" pans. It was also available in SERVICE until June, 1970 when it was replaced by the 3956670. The 3956670 was used in PRODUCTION for early 1970 LT-1 and all 1970-72 ZR1. The 3956670 was discontinued from SERVICE in November, 1976 and replaced by the SERVICE-only GM #359942.

I do not know what the difference is between the 3820001 and the 3956670. Whatever the difference, it must be very subtle and, perhaps, not even externally visible. It might involve just the installed oil pan drain plug which is, of course, easily changed. I know that both pans have the same, basic internal and external configuration and both use the same gasket sets.

The SERVICE-only GM #359942 is identical to the 3956670 except for the radius of the front oil pan seal as described by John. Installed on the car, it's virtually impossible to discern this pan from the earlier pans.

By the way, if you drive the car very much you will come to regret removing the power steering for the sake of installing an original oil pan. Also, as far as I know, the "6 quart" oil pan is not currently reproduced. Because of the relatively small market for this pan and the cost of tooling, it's doubtful it will be reproduced (but don't rule out those crafty Chinese from figuring out a way). So, you'll have to find a good used or NOS pan and these usually sell for big $$$$$.

[James B.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

John and Joe, Thanks, great answers. Joe, I also have a 1967 L79 coupe, very original 52,000 mile car- great driver; doesn't have PS and we get along okay. I will say, with my morning 12 0z coffee, manual steering and 4 speed it becomes a test of coordination and control & fortunately I don't have to parallel park too often. Thanks again and regards, JimB

[Ralph A.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

John and Joe, Thanks, great answers. Joe, I also have a 1967 L79 coupe, very original 52,000 mile car- great driver; doesn't have PS and we get along okay. I will say, with my morning 12 0z coffee, manual steering and 4 speed it becomes a test of coordination and control & fortunately I don't have to parallel park too often. Thanks again and regards, JimB

James maybe John or Joe know if this one is right for your car its on EBay 130403633884

[Joe L.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

James maybe John or Joe know if this one is right for your car its on EBay 130403633884

Ralph------


Yes, this is the correct pan. I can't tell if it's the SERVICE-only GM #359942 or one of the earlier numbers. More than likely, it is the 359942 but, as I mentioned, it's practically impossible to discern the difference when the pan is installed on the engine.

[Loren L.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

Perhaps the easy answer that you might be looking for is that the lower sump measures 0/A 13" instead of O/A 11" from front to rear.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

To add to the power vs. manual consideration is; whether your's is set up for the quick ratio steering. My 63 has that with manual steering and it is like driving the perverbial Mack Truck. I've made mine a little more "female friendly" with radial tires and a change from Sintered Metallic brakes to Matrix Ceramic.

Stu Fox

[Tom P.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

What a bunch of weenies!
Driving a 63-later Vette with manual steering comparred to driving a 53-62 Vette, is like having power steering. The only Corvette that I regularly drive is the 56---------------WITH A FAST STEERING ADAPTER--------------and at 67yrs, I do just fine!
Oh ya, and my regular, daily driver is a 51 Chevy, but it has armstrong power steering (and manual brakes and vacuum wipers)!

[Mike M.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

What a bunch of weenies!
Driving a 63-later Vette with manual steering comparred to driving a 53-62 Vette, is like having power steering. The only Corvette that I regularly drive is the 56---------------WITH A FAST STEERING ADAPTER--------------and at 67yrs, I do just fine!
Oh ya, and my regular, daily driver is a 51 Chevy, but it has armstrong power steering (and manual brakes and vacuum wipers)!

talk about a difficult to steer vehicle, we just go back from a weekend at Budd's Creek Motorspeedway watching vintage drag cars run like they did in the 60's. i drove our 1956 GMC 4104 ex-greyhound without power steering. if very quick steering is needed, ya gotta stand up and steer with both the shoulders and the rest of the anatomy. mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

Good Morning Tom and Mike;

You must be the last of the muscle bound heros of the 50's and 60's. I blew out the biscep on my right arm a few years ago, but still manage to wrestle my 63 around.

Tom; is your 51 like my 50 was with regards to the seating/steering position? That is the only car I ever had to use a seat cushion to elevate myself to see and to get enough leverage on the wheel. I'm 5' 8" too, not real short (though getting shorter every year). Wish I still had that 50 though, I'd change it to your clutch linkage and continue to enjoy a sleeper.

Stu Fox

[Tom P.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

Stu,
I'm 5'11". My 51 has 63 Impalla buckets and console. The steering column is stock, although it is a 53-54 version (needle bearings instead of bushings for the sector shaft). I replaced the stock 51 center steering arm/outer arms and tierods with the 53-62 Vette parts and the rest of the frontend is pure stock 51 Chevy with stock 51 Chevy 11in drums all the way around. I did cheat a little though, the front wheels are 14x6 Ralleys with 75 series radials inflated to 32-33psi which slightly improves steering effort (the rears are 15x8 Vette Ralleys and 235/60s to give the built 350 plenty of bite). But otherwise, it's all stock 51. Drive it almost everyday-------in fact it's sitting outside in the parking lot at Tinker AFB as we speak.
I haul my aircraft tools (plus 2 5gal cans for avgas) in it to the airport every Sat to work on the plane.
Muscle bound from the 50s-60s? I never thought so, but I was a swimmer/diver/lifeguard in hi-school and since the 51 was my first car right after joining the Army in 61, that's just what I've always been used to driving.

[Paul J.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

What a bunch of weenies!
Driving a 63-later Vette with manual steering comparred to driving a 53-62 Vette, is like having power steering. The only Corvette that I regularly drive is the 56---------------WITH A FAST STEERING ADAPTER--------------and at 67yrs, I do just fine!
Oh ya, and my regular, daily driver is a 51 Chevy, but it has armstrong power steering (and manual brakes and vacuum wipers)!

Amen. My 64 is manual steering and when it had 8" wide tires on the front of it it was still not all that difficult to turn, even standing still.

Power steering...that's like an automatic Lamborgini (yeh I know, thanks Chrysler).

[James B.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

John Hinckley- I bought a pan at B'gold. It looks just like the ebay item#130403633884. I measured the front radius w/ depth caliper and straight edge across top lip of pan. It measured 2.47" so larger than the two dimensions you gave. The pan is undented and looks new. Could it be this is the service replacement #359942 and that takes yet a thicker gasket??

[Joe L.]

Re: 6 Quart Oil Pan- How to Tell?

John Hinckley- I bought a pan at B'gold. It looks just like the ebay item#130403633884. I measured the front radius w/ depth caliper and straight edge across top lip of pan. It measured 2.47" so larger than the two dimensions you gave. The pan is undented and looks new. Could it be this is the service replacement #359942 and that takes yet a thicker gasket??

James-----


There were only 2 radius dimensions EVER for the small block pan front seal radius. The 1955-74 was 2-1/4" and the 75+, including all of the 55-74 SERVICE Corvette oil pans after about 1976, was 2-3/8". I think you may be a little off on the measurement. I expect you have the 359942.