[caddor38]

Hey guys, just doing my first oil change since engine build and I have a question about oil capacity. I have a Milodin 7 qt oil pan on my Pontiac stroked 455. I have read you put in 7 quarts total? I filled the oil filter with oil and put the remaining 6 3/4 quarts in the motor and noticed on my dip stick that I was just shy of the first line where it says add oil. So, according to the dipstick I am about a qt low. Any help on this would be appreciated. I dont want to put to much oil in there and dont want to blow it up either

[steve25]

I would not be concerned at all in the least bit that your shy 1/4 of a Qt.

[caddor38]

Maybe I confused this. I have now put 7.5 quarts of oil in the engine. The oil is just now touching the Add oil line on the dipstick. The dipstick is 18" from long measuring from the end to where the dipstick stops on the dipstick tube. The add line is merely 2.5" from the end of the dipstick

[PAUL K]

That sounds about right. We always fill ours to the "add" line which is seven quarts.

[caddor38]

I usually fill it towhere the oil sits right between the add and full line and i think it would take 8.5 qts to meet that level. I am pretty sure the dipstick is the standard length. Just not sure why it would take so much oil. Does anyone else use the milodin 7qt pan and whats your experience?

[mysticmissle]

i think you need to remark your old dipstick to match the oil pan you are now using. if pan says 7 quarts r mark the new level on the old stick. the pan is designed to move the oil away from the crank, that is why the sump and pump pick up is deeper and longer. the old dipstick was designed and MARKED for the old pan.

[PunchT37]

As Mystic says, re mark your stick. I run a Canton pan with 7 qts. It acts like yours. It keeps the oil away from the crank, reducing windage issues.

[caddor38]

Sounds good folks, I will mark a new line in my new dipstick.

[blueghoast]

Originally Posted by caddor38

Sounds good folks, I will mark a new line in my new dipstick.

I use the same pan and thats what I did, remark dip stick.

GT

[Joe-Touring]

When setting up your dipstick levels, is there a certain height of oil you want above the pickup? I’m gonna be running a canton road race pan, and was wondering how you come up with the proper oil level.


Seems like the word in this thread is: “manufacturer says 7 quarts, where ever 7 quarts hits the dipstick is correct”

[Skip Fix]

I use a stock dipstick on my Canton pan motors.. You can use the stock dipstick tubes but need to drill a matching hole in the Canton pan(Larger bottom hole). Stock distance from the crank( I assume the factory knew where it should be) basically just barely covers their pan/windage tray when all the oil passages are full. I preoiled mine with the valley pan off the see where things were.

[Don 79 TA]

maybe i am not comprehending something here, trust me i wouldn't doubt it
but, if the MFG of a pan says 7 quarts, do they mean the pan would hold 7, and then what ever you need for the filter (lets say typical filter takes 1qt) than you need 8?
or when they list say 7, do they mean to include a typical oil filter amount? so the pan is really 6?
i've seen pans listed between 5-8 qts,

[Steve C.]

Good point Don 79 TA

Example, Canton states 6 qt System Capacity. When I called them I was told that included the filter.

And keep in mind most common oil filters used in our cars do not hold one quart of oil.
Example, the larger NAPA 1049 holds about 3/4 qt.

Some consider how much oil is contained up inside a running engine. And lines to and from a remote mounted filter if used.

.

[mysticmissle]

it depends but next time you have a new pan or pan off put it level and put 6 quarts of water in it or whatever volume you want. Then measure the oil pump pick up from pan rail to the bottom of pick up it will help you visualize what you are really doing.

[Don 79 TA]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

Good point Don 79 TA

Example, Canton states 6 qt System Capacity. When I called them I was told that included the filter.

And keep in mind most common oil filters used in our cars do not hold one quart of oil.
Example, the larger NAPA 1049 holds about 3/4 qt.

Some consider how much oil is contained up inside a running engine. And lines to and from a remote mounted filter if used.

.

i can relate to the system capacity, but if i am not mistaken on most of the adds, they would say something like 5-8 (what ever the pan is supposed to be if you get my point)
and definitely get what is laying around in the engine and lines
guess maybe i just look to deep into things at times

as far as oil in the engine, when i do oil changes, i try to jack the car up in a few different ways to help move around and get out as much as i can, side to side, front, shake the car, etc, i just tell myself i'm trying to get all the ickeyness out so theres new fresh oil. i know... i probably need to find other leisurely things to do, but i'm not a video gammer and right now playing on the car is my favorite hobby. funny part is i only do that with the TA, the dailys i can careless about, drain and fill and move on