Oil pan dip tray

S

Seabees

Senior Member
Howdy boys, I have a dip tray that is unusual, and I was hoping one of you experts out there would know why it is built as it is. Note the 5 large holes which are factory, according to the website "Fordgarage". It is listed under "Model B and Model 46 oil pan variations". Thanks!
 

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In one of the engine rebuilder manuals – I think the Mcree book – it states that many trays have been found with these holes, some from the factory and some done by the owner. The purpose was to improve oil flow by moving oil back to the sump more quickly. However, the practical effect of the holes was minimal and eventually the practice ceased. Trays without holes are preferred over trays with holes, and trays with holes in the rod slinger scoops should be avoided altogether.
 
I have one of those. This is only the 3rd one I have ever seen. Mine was in my A engine for a long time.
 
FYI; notice that that middle hole was stamped in at the factory with a die/press. Notice the embossing/ridge area around it. That was no hole saw in the garage that made that.
 
My pan like the one in post #1 sure throws out a whole lot less oil. I am thinking of putting it back in.
 
My rebuilder builds engines all day every day. He has a staff of 5. He said they used those tray for a couple of months, and for some reason quit using them. Who knows what Ford was thinking.
 
Gene F said:
My rebuilder builds engines all day every day. He has a staff of 5. He said they used those tray for a couple of months, and for some reason quit using them. Who knows what Ford was thinking.
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My guess would be: probably a trial run to see if it would reduce oil consumption.
 
My personal feeling is that if it was a good idea, Ford would have switched over to a tray with holes. They didn’t, so in my humble opinion, I would not encourage using one or modifying a tray that does not have holes.

These cars have lasted over 90 years. Sure they leak a little oil. But, if you were 90 years old, you might leak a little too.

I wonder if modified engines will last as long as the stock ones have?

Enjoy.
 
With a fully pressurized engine where there are no scoops on the rods, I am wondering if a small hole (1/16 diameter) in the bottom of each of the rod trays would allow all the oil to be drained during an oil change. There should be oil in the trays when the engine is running to create the oil fog that actually lubricates a lot of parts. So the object would be to drain the oil when the engine is not running but allow the trays to fill when it is running.

What do you think?
 
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