Engine pans - to use or not

Dick Deegan

Dick Deegan

Well-known member
Good Morning Everyone;

I would like to know what the general thoughts are relative to the use of engine pans. I have used them, but currently they are removed while I am checking bearings etc. I'm not sure whether to put them back on or not. If I do re-install them I need to weld some new tabs on, since they are broken off. I have a very good friend, whose opinion I regard very highly, who absolutely has no use for engine pans. His comment is that "they impair my ability to do repairs".

I have read in the past where they enhance engine cooling, keep unwanted "stuff" out of the carb and keep road dirt off the engine.

If their use is marginal I would prefer not to install them

Thoughts please. Do you use them or not?

Dick
 
For what it is worth, I don't think that Henry Ford would have used them unless necessary. I use them on mine.
 
Dick,

You've named the reasons Henry included the engine pans on his vehicles;

"...they enhance engine cooling, keep unwanted "stuff" out of the carb and keep road dirt off the engine."

What more needs to be said in favor of using them?

Dave Lopes
 
Henry would not have spent the money to make and install them if they were not important to the engine installation and operation. It is my opinion that they are a "must". Gar Williams
 
I use them on all my cars. I don't run an air cleaner thus engine pans are a must. I agree that they keep unwanted stuff out of the carb such as rocks, birds and small children. Just look at the proximity of the right tire to the carb. Any dust that is kicked up will go directly into the intake.

Only downside other than the pain of removing them when working on removing the pan, is they do set up harmonic vibrations at certain speeds. Float-a-motors would aggravate the noise and may fatigue the one tab that fastens to the pan.

I would go with them. I believe originals may and been made out of heavier material which would help with the buzz and the cracks.
 
"they impair my ability to do repairs"

Guess if that's your criteria then the hood and maybe some other parts should go also.
 
Come on! Let's get real! Unless you are one of those astute mechanics that drops the oil pan about as often as changing your underwear, removal of the engine pans is no big deal. :o

In addition to the reasons already mentioned, engine pans also serve as a ground between the engine and the chassis. Having the pans in place serves to better ground the engine to the chassis and will help insure a good ground.
 
As a side note, on a truly stock set-up they provide a direct ground path for the starter current from the frame to the block. Ever see a oily motor mount smoke?

GW
 
This was a question I was going to ask eventually but down the priority list but you guys have convenced me. I'm ordering engine pans for the reasons given.
Pete
 
I use them and they are handy for catching parts that fall off the car. For example my air cleaner came loose but I didn't lose it, it was just sitting there on the pan by the exhaust. The also make it easier to drain the coolant, it just runs down the pan into your bucket. Get the powder coated ones. Well worth the extra money.
 
Their's about a $20 difference between steel and powder coat. It seem like a couple of coats of gloss black would work? Or does the gas and crud eventually get to it. Do they sandwitch between the pan and the block or can I install them after I put the pan on?
 
I have the original engine pans for our '30 Coupe, they have been off the car since the middle of 1978. I recently decided to return them back to the car for appearance and performance. Question: Do they sit on top of the frame rail - or bolt up from underneath? Can't remember after all these years and I have seen them installed both ways. :confused:

My vote is for them to sit on top of the rail - Correct?

Thanks SHEC :cool:
 
SHEC;

Mine bolted up underneath the frame rail. Mine are repros and I don't think they will bolt on on top of the frame rail.

Dick
 
Here's a shot of how Henry installed the pans on a mid-1929, under the frame rail. You will also see how the original dipped enamel has held up over the years to the gas that has dripped from the carb, and to the heat of the exhaust. Many other details show up in this photo as well. Unrestored vehicle, 4,500 miles, all original paint in this photo except the exhaust.

Dave Lopes
 

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My personal view is that pans make the car look complete, in addition to all the other reasons given in this string. I also think the powder coated pans that some suppliers offer (Bratton's) are the way to go. Without question you are going to drip some fuel onto the right pan at some point and it will remove normal paint.

A word of caution about reproduction pans. The two tabs on each pan where they attach to the engine pan will eventually crack and break. You will know when it happens as you will hear a very loud vibration sound upon deceleration. I made up four stepped brackets to aid in supporting these critical attach points.

Tom Endy
 
Peter;

I think the extra $20 is well worth it to get powder coated. I had to respray one of mine on the engine side and used what I thought was a good quality auto paint in a rattle can. Gas leaking from the carb dissolved the paint.

And yes, you install them after the oil pan is on.

Dick
 
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