Oil Pan Bolts

Doppleganger · Apr 22, 2022

Stupid question: 5.7's oil pan bolts....1/4-20's on the sides and 5/16-18's on the 2 fronts. Did this ever change (such as with the later 350's)? Like to metric?

I had to pull my oil pan - no oil in the motor so was a quick and clean process. Bolts coming out and going back in were not the smoothest. Sounds nuts, just almost felt like when you have a close fit between metric and SAE. One of the 5/16's had alot of shavings on the end - like the shop that built it didn't blow the holes out completely.

Probably not a big deal but my OCD wants to pull it again and clean / run a tap in each hole til it is smooth. Will never be easier than now to do it. Gasket is a silicone 1pc so wont lose it either.

AuroraGirl · Apr 22, 2022

Doppleganger said:
Stupid question: 5.7's oil pan bolts....1/4-20's on the sides and 5/16-18's on the 2 fronts. Did this ever change (such as with the later 350's)? Like to metric?

I had to pull my oil pan - no oil in the motor so was a quick and clean process. Bolts coming out and going back in were not the smoothest. Sounds nuts, just almost felt like when you have a close fit between metric and SAE. One of the 5/16's had alot of shavings on the end - like the shop that built it didn't blow the holes out completely.

Probably not a big deal but my OCD wants to pull it again and clean / run a tap in each hole til it is smooth. Will never be easier than now to do it. Gasket is a silicone 1pc so wont lose it either.

3800 stayed SAE until either the end or 2000(aluminum, structural pan instead of 3 layered stamped steel
The stamped steel ones for sure used SAE like the water pump and intake was still doing.

Not sure how it went for SBC but some things didnt change

bucket · Apr 23, 2022

They stayed SAE the whole time. The only difference was that at some point in the 80's ('86 I think), the 5/16" bolts were replaced with studs and nuts.

Dooley · Apr 23, 2022

I used to replace the bolts with pan stud kits on engines I rebuilt.
It made it a lot easier if you needed to drop the pan while still in the vehicle any time later on my light trucks.
Changed rod bearings and oil pumps on many engines this way.
.

AuroraGirl · Apr 23, 2022

Dooley said:
I used to replace the bolts with pan stud kits on engines I rebuilt.
It made it a lot easier if you needed to drop the pan while still in the vehicle any time later on my light trucks.
Changed rod bearings and oil pumps on many engines this way.
.

Im imagining studs in place for 3800. the 3/8 bolts are sad at how little force all 40000 of them around the outside can take

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Grit dog · Apr 23, 2022

AuroraGirl said:
Im imagining studs in place for 3800. the 3/8 bolts are sad at how little force all 40000 of them around the outside can take

You must be registered for see images attach

Keep your pets away from that car!

AuroraGirl · Apr 24, 2022

Grit dog said:
Keep your pets away from that car!

that coolant is from service and that oil was from that (primarily) oil level sensor that is plastic in the side of the pan.

It doesnt have green coolant in it anymore either, it has orange fanta kind.(Still toxic but it doesnt just leak out either)

Oil Pan Bolts

Doppleganger

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AuroraGirl

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bucket

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Dooley

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AuroraGirl

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Grit dog

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