7qt oil pan with dipstick

Scott W · Dec 13, 2011

I'm putting a new engine into my 89 mustang. I have a 7qt oil pan (proform) which i will be installing. I also ordered a canton dipstick which needs to be calibrated.

My question is do I put a total of 7qts of oil in the car, or do I need to compensate for the filter?

My haynes says the stock mustang oil capacity is 5 qts with a filter change - 4 qts without the filter change. So I am assuming close to 1 qt gets trapped in the filter. If I put a total of 7 qts in the motor, after starting the car I assume I will be down to about 6 qts in the pan.

Do I need to put an extra qt of oil in the car to compensate for the filter?

MFE92 · Dec 13, 2011

Canton says it's a 7-quart "system", so it's 7 quarts including the filter. Best thing to do would be to put 6 quarts and a filter, run it for a bit, shut it off and let it sit. Mark that as 1 qt low. Add a quart, let it sit, mark that spot as full.

Gearbanger 101 · Dec 13, 2011

The high volume oil pan holds any additional oil in the lower half of the pan...not in the upper half. Therefore you shouldn't need to alter your dipstick markings at all. Fill it to the normal full level and call it a a day.

Scott W · Dec 13, 2011

Well the dipstick I ordered is not cut to length, in fact the tube is longer than the dipstick, so It MUST be cut and calibrated. I can't use the stock dipstick since it interferes with the pan. I going to use a freeze plug in the existing dipstick hole in the block.
Since the 'system' is 7qts, and from what the haynes manual suggests - that the filter takes about 1 quart, I was going to fill the pan with 6 qts of water - while the pan is off the engine of course, and then install and calibrate the dipstick as required, since I will actually be able to see the dipstick in the oil pan.
Later, when the pan is on the engine and the engine is in the car I will put a full 7qts of oil in the car and re-check the dipstick.

LarsD · Dec 13, 2011

I filled mine with 7 quarts. Started the car (well, primed it with a drill). Took the measurements on the stick, then added another quart. I figure the pan is supposed to hold 7 quarts, then it shouldn't care what is in the filter.

Scott W · Dec 13, 2011

LarsD, stupid question here, but what do I need to buy in order to prime the engine with the drill?
Thanks to all of you for your help

Also, anybody know how to post without having the signature come up all the time?

LarsD · Dec 13, 2011

Scott W said:
LarsD, stupid question here, but what do I need to buy in order to prime the engine with the drill?
Thanks to all of you for your help

Also, anybody know how to post without having the signature come up all the time?

I used a 5/16 socket (iirc) on a couple of 1/4 drive extensions (electrical taped for safety), chucked into my drill. You guys got me thinking, I'm going to hit up my engine builder to make sure I'm not running too much oil in my car.

Scott W · Dec 13, 2011

And you spin it clockwise or counter-clockwise.

LarsD · Dec 13, 2011

Scott W said:
And you spin it clockwise or counter-clockwise.

The same direction as the arrow on the dist. cap. I can't remember offhand.

Scott W · Dec 13, 2011

I think the dist runs counter clockwise - so I think that's the way to go.

LarsD · Dec 14, 2011

Scott W said:
I think the dist runs counter clockwise - so I think that's the way to go.

I believe that is correct. And my engine builder informs me I am running a quart too much (oops). Would be nice if the dipstick was correct, so the dipstick owner would have the proper amount of oil in the car.

Scott W · Dec 14, 2011

LarsD Yeah, either your using the stock dipstick, or the aftermarket dipstick wasn't calibrated properly. I imagine your dipstick is reading low. What I would suggest is next time you do an oil change make sure as much oil is out as possible, and make sure you change the filter. Fill the car with 7qts of oil, start the car and let it run for a couple minutes, shut the car off and read the dipstick. Its probably going to read low, making you think you need to add more oil. Simply measure the difference on the dipstick (lets say for example the actual oil level is 1/8" below the 'full mark'. TAke your dipstick tube out of the engine block (or oil pan) and cut the TUBE, not the dipstick, by the same 1/8", re-install the tube and now when you insert the dipstick it will actually go down a little more than it used to (1/8") and if you measure accurately it should be right on the 'full'

You can always simply 'scripe' or file a new 'full' mark on the dipstick.

LarsD · Dec 14, 2011

Scott W said:
LarsD Yeah, either your using the stock dipstick, or the aftermarket dipstick wasn't calibrated properly. I imagine your dipstick is reading low. What I would suggest is next time you do an oil change make sure as much oil is out as possible, and make sure you change the filter. Fill the car with 7qts of oil, start the car and let it run for a couple minutes, shut the car off and read the dipstick. Its probably going to read low, making you think you need to add more oil. Simply measure the difference on the dipstick (lets say for example the actual oil level is 1/8" below the 'full mark'. TAke your dipstick tube out of the engine block (or oil pan) and cut the TUBE, not the dipstick, by the same 1/8", re-install the tube and now when you insert the dipstick it will actually go down a little more than it used to (1/8") and if you measure accurately it should be right on the 'full'

You can always simply 'scripe' or file a new 'full' mark on the dipstick.

It's a Morso pan with the stick that bolts onto the side of the pan with a collet setup. I'll try resetting it up and hopefully it'll come out right. I've put about a 1K miles on it like this. Hopefully I didn't mess anything up, it's not leaking or smoking. I'm planning to change it this weekend anyhow.

Scott W · Dec 14, 2011

I am sure you didn't mess anything up. The reason why I started this thread in the first place was because I came across so many conflicting opinions. There are many people who put way more than 7qt in the system, one guy insisted 10qts was the way to go. I also found out that slightly overfilling the 7qt system won't really cause any damage - apparantly too much oil will simply lead to airation of the oil, and apparently this can rob you of horsepower. But I've yet to come by a post, or write-up suggesting any real damage caused by adding an extra quart to a 7 qt system. This may be different if anyone is running the stock 5qt system - an extra qt in that system may cause some damage - not sure - but i wouldn't take the chance.

My canton universal dipstick also bolts into the pan. You can go to their website for instructions which might help. The tube needs to be cut at the top, not the bottom threaded portion. If you cut the top (use a tubing cutter) of the tube the dipstick will go into the pan a little deeper.

LarsD · Dec 14, 2011

Scott W said:
I am sure you didn't mess anything up. The reason why I started this thread in the first place was because I came across so many conflicting opinions. There are many people who put way more than 7qt in the system, one guy insisted 10qts was the way to go. I also found out that slightly overfilling the 7qt system won't really cause any damage - apparantly too much oil will simply lead to airation of the oil, and apparently this can rob you of horsepower. But I've yet to come by a post, or write-up suggesting any real damage caused by adding an extra quart to a 7 qt system. This may be different if anyone is running the stock 5qt system - an extra qt in that system may cause some damage - not sure - but i wouldn't take the chance.

My canton universal dipstick also bolts into the pan. You can go to their website for instructions which might help. The tube needs to be cut at the top, not the bottom threaded portion. If you cut the top (use a tubing cutter) of the tube the dipstick will go into the pan a little deeper.

10 quarts, wtf? I read if the oil aerates enough you can wash out the mains on the crank. Of course I have no idea if this is true or not. I don't care for the setup on my pan, but I don't really have much of a choice at this point.

Scott W · Dec 22, 2011

LarsD - why don't you like the oil pan? Problems?

LarsD · Dec 23, 2011

Scott W said:
LarsD - why don't you like the oil pan? Problems?

I've never been a fan of Moroso stuff. I didn't care for the cheap Chinese dipstick whose bracket for the header bolt is a mile off. The chrome was flaking off the stick tube when I unpacked it, the leaks from the drain plugs (which seem to be solved now thankfully). Otherwise it seems fine, just the tube and stick are like a sore thumb compared to the rest of my engine bay that has mostly good stuff in it (save for the BBK CAI).

Scott W · Dec 23, 2011

Well I hope I don't have any issues. I have the proform oil pan, looks good. I ordered a canton dipstick which does not include a bracket - but I have removed the bracket from the stock dipstick and will attatch that - so I know it will fit properly
I actually came across a thread you had about your engine build. I am just at the beginning stages. I have purchased a prepped block with just over 1500 miles on it. Leakdown tests show a 4-7% leak across the board - and that's on a cold engine. I am waiting for the rest of my order to arrive - everything from gaskets to a new centerforce clutch, new hoses, and I just placed an order for a sct eliminator chip, which american muscle (bama) tunes for the car. It should be here Wednesday, the rest of my order will be later next week. Going to re/re over the winter.

LarsD · Dec 23, 2011

Scott W said:
Well I hope I don't have any issues. I have the proform oil pan, looks good. I ordered a canton dipstick which does not include a bracket - but I have removed the bracket from the stock dipstick and will attatch that - so I know it will fit properly
I actually came across a thread you had about your engine build. I am just at the beginning stages. I have purchased a prepped block with just over 1500 miles on it. Leakdown tests show a 4-7% leak across the board - and that's on a cold engine. I am waiting for the rest of my order to arrive - everything from gaskets to a new centerforce clutch, new hoses, and I just placed an order for a sct eliminator chip, which american muscle (bama) tunes for the car. It should be here Wednesday, the rest of my order will be later next week. Going to re/re over the winter.

Good luck! Mine seems to run harder then my Cobra, so I'm pretty happy with it. The engine feels like it pulls smoother on the top end now that I am running 6.6 quarts in it instead of 8.

7qt oil pan with dipstick

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