Does '71 455HO Use A Windage Tray?
 

Looking at windage trays - the guides seem to indicate the long tray from '65-'68, and the 3/4 tray from 69-'70. Did Pontiac stop using windage trays in all engines in '71, or did the high performance ones still get them - and if so, which tray?

From my experience, I've found that Pontiac used windage trays up through the mid 73' model year when they went to the lower oil dip stick tube with a strap that attached to the #3 main cap. Prior to that the lower tube was held in place by the windage tray

Longer tray on 455, and short 3/4 on the 400's Based on tear downs.
If your motor has studs for the main bearing cap bolts, it probably came with a windage tray.

Pontiac used a factory windage tray on their high performance and GTO engines. The early trays were a full length and used from 1965-69 and covers all 4 crank throws. The long tray was also installed on the 1970 350CI & 400CI engines and all 1972 2 bbl V8's.

The shorter tray does not cover the front crank throw for #1 & #2 cylinders and was considered not necessary as the pan was so shallow at that point. The shorter tray was introduced in 1970 on the 455CI. The engines that had them were 1970-73 455, 1971-73 400 4Bbl, and all 1972-73 V8 engines. The tray was discontinued when Pontiac introduced the baffled oil pan in late 1973.


First photo shows the long versus short tray side-by-side - the factory only had 3 oil drain holes and someone has added additional oil drain holes to this tray.

Second photo shows my 455 - noting you must have the #2 & #4 main cap with the holes to bolt on the windage tray.

Third photo shows the oil pan with its built in oil baffle.

The last photo shows you why you would not use both a windage tray & oil baffled pan together.

Great info

There's a little bit of conflicting information here, but sounds like the 3/4 tray is probably the correct one for a '71 Trans Am with 455HO. Thank you!

All 1971 455s used a 3/4 tray, there will be a "5" stamped in the bottom on the oil pan side.

Thank you!