'65 300 hp - new oil pan

[Oliver S.]

Hello,

before hibernating the oil was changed on my Vette (L75, 4 speed, no PS) but along with the drain plug came the pan's thread. A new thread was cut but only as an interim solution - seems that a previous owner had the same problem once. Now I have to buy a new one.
There are some questions now:
Go for a 5 qt (where to get)?
Is there a difference in the original appearance oil pans in terms of quality offered by various vendors?
Is a fitting oil pan still available by GM - somebody claimed this?

Oliver

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 300 hp - new oil pan

Hello,

before hibernating the oil was changed on my Vette (L75, 4 speed, no PS) but along with the drain plug came the pan's thread. A new thread was cut but only as an interim solution - seems that a previous owner had the same problem once. Now I have to buy a new one.
There are some questions now:
Go for a 5 qt (where to get)?
Is there a difference in the original appearance oil pans in terms of quality offered by various vendors?
Is a fitting oil pan still available by GM - somebody claimed this?

Oliver

Oliver------

Your pan can be repaired by grinding out the existing flange plate and welding-in a new one. Until very recently, a new flange plate was available from GM under GM #3723008. It's been discontinued but dealers might still have some in stock. If not, the flange can easily be fabricated from a piece of 1/4"-3/8" flat steel stock about 2" X 2" and drilled and tapped for 1/2-20 thread in the center.

The only exact reproduction of the original pan used for your application is the one offered by Keen Parts. However, their pan is also available from most of the other Corvette parts vendors. If you find pans that are relatively inexpensive, those are NOT the one I'm talking about.

The original oil pan for your application is long-since GM discontinued. GM does offer oil pans that will fit your application but they won't be correct or, even, near correct. They'll also require you to change your oil pump pick-up screen, upper dipstick tube and dipstick.

As I say, though, in all likelihood your pan can be repaired as I described and will be as good as new, at least as far as the drain plug fitting is concerned.

I should also mention that I think it would be possible to repair the threads in your existing flange plate by using a thread repair device called a "Thread-Sert". I've never done this but I think it could be done.