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"Modifying" SBC Oil Pan

1K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  ogre 
#1 ·
Now that I have the SBC, Muncie and Ford rear end installed in the '62 Studebaker Lark, and have the pinion angle set, I have a clearance issue with the steering arm (old time center steer on Studebakers) and the front of the oil pan. When you turn the wheel, the arm scrapes the bottom front drivers side of the oil pan. Some others who have done this swap have mentioned using a slightly taller motor mount, or adding 3/8" shims under the mounts to give it clearance. I'm afraid either will screw up my pinion angle and it will be difficult to raise the trans on the rear crossmember due to claerance issues there with the linkage.

Since the oil pickup is in the rear of the sump, would it be acceptable to "massage" that spot on the front of the pan with a hammer? I can access it without removing the pan. Any thoughts? Thanks,
 
#2 ·
Kind of a crap shoot w/o knowing how close the pick up is to the pan. If you decide on the hammer I would use a piece of heavy wall ...say 2" pipe to lay across the pan and hit that. That way you would have a longer indention instead of a bunch of hammer blows on the pan. Also I don't think a couple of 3/8 shims will hurt the pinion angle that much.
 
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