[307malibu]

Okay, I got a 1971 Chevelle with a 307. I pulled the motor, detailed the engine bay, and prepared to drop a vortec 350 from a 1997 silverado in that I've been carefully preparing for the last week (cam swap, new oil pump, pretty orange painted oil pan, la dee da). My buddy got a night away from his wife and was going to help me . . . but the oil pan seems to JUST BARELY hang up on the front frame crossmember!!! Crap. Checked it back and forth and it's a problem. I'm thinking a new pan, right?

Questions then:

-Are the stock Vortec 350 pans deeper than the stock pan that was on my 307? In other words, is the pan really the problem?

-I used a fancy one piece oil pan gasket. Can I reuse it with a new pan, or are they non-retorqueable? Motor does not have oil in it.

-The later 350s use a one-piece rear seal pan, right? Is there one out there that will work with my application?

I feel like an idiot for overlooking the oil pan clearance issue. I thought that A-bodies didn't have a clearance problem with pans!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[307malibu]

I was thinking maybe this item would work?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...44+4294840140+

It's listed as a 5 quart pan, that works for either truck or car. Anyone use a one piece seal motor in a Chevelle (or any older car)? Or, does anyone know stock oil capacity of a 1997 vortec V8? Thanks again!

[SSedan64]

I think the trucks came with a windage tray so the front of the pan may be lower to make room for it. Yes the 1-piece gaskets are reusable.

[307malibu]

You're right--there is a windage tray on there. I never even thought of that. Good to know I can reuse that $30 gasket though! Thanks!

[jimfulco]

Trucks sometimes use a deeper pan. You may need to use the pan used on ZZ4 and '87-'92 Camaro 350s, part number 12557558.

http://gilbertautoparts.com/oilsystem/index.cfm has info on the pan and the baffle (windage tray) used with ZZ4 & Corvette engines.

[307malibu]

Thanks Jim! That gets it sorted out.