AMX 401 Take 4

Rebel Machine wrote: I'm betting it's a drainback problem.

If it is just a drainback problem, then you should be able to recreate it on the test stand. If you can't, then at least part of it has to do with the acceleration force when the car is moving. i.e. oil shifting in the pan, possibly uncovering the pickup.

I don't understand the resistance to a high-capacity baffled pan and the thinking that a dynamic oil supply issue can be solved by concentrating solely on the gravity-return system.   To me that's like pissing into the wind and hoping you'll stay dry - sometimes you'll get lucky, sometimes you'll get wet.

The only way to ensure positive oil return is to add scavenge pumps.   Short of that, a high-capacity baffled pan with windage tray and improved pickup is your best bet ... if it wants to pump more oil, it needs more oil to pump!

Compared to the rest of the expense in building a performance engine and the risk of damage due to lost lubrication, to me a better pan just makes sense. There is also power in a better pan. A deep pan is fine for drag and some street, but a pan with road-race type baffling is the best bet if planning some hard cornering or braking.     

Lots of builds get away with a stock pan, but it's pretty clear this build does not. Haven't seen any "smoking-gun" showing excessive leakage or loose clearances from the inspections thus far.    

In my 1972 owner's manual on pg.5 "Oil-Pressure Gauge (Oil)" it states:

"... Sudden turns or stops can cause a momentary pressure drop."

So dynamic loading can cause a momentary loss of pressure with the stock oiling system. Sounds exactly like what Steve described doesn't it? To me a stock pan just isn't up to the job of a performance build.

Hope this helps, RD

When I ran 5 Qts. in my 67 American V8 ,if it was 1/2 Qt. low the oil light would come on when making a left turn. I went to 6 Qts. and the light never came on anymore.

Okay, I'm probably going to get an aftermarket oil pan because it makes sense to have more oil capacity

There aren't many to choose from. Looks like Canton and Milodon are the only aftermarket manufacturers.

Milodon offers a street/strip pan that is 9 inches depth. The Canton pan is shown to be a road race pan at 8 inches. Both are 8 quart.

I'm leaning towards the Canton as long as it clears the headers.
Any preferences?

-Steve-

Rebel Machine wrote: Okay, I'm probably going to get an aftermarket oil pan because it makes sense to have more oil capacity There aren't many to choose from. Looks like Canton and Milodon are the only aftermarket manufacturers. Milodon offers a street/strip pan that is 9 inches depth. The Canton pan is shown to be a road race pan at 8 inches. Both are 8 quart. I'm leaning towards the Canton as long as it clears the headers. Any preferences? -Steve-

My other pan will be Armandos. Current one is a homemade roadrace one that I like.

Steve