• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Stock 5.0 oil pan question

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5.0aintslow
  • Start date Start date Jun 28, 2019

5.0aintslow

Member
May 22, 2019
32
4
18
Toronto Ontario
Jun 28, 2019
#1
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #1
I’ve always got the dumb questions I can never get my head around, but hear me out.

The stock 5.0ho oil pan as shows, has two drops so that the pan can clear the subframe. Because oil sits in these two drops when resting, obviously you’d need two drain bolts, but when checking oil level, couldn’t that give you a screwed up level? If some of that oil is on the other drop, and the dipstick reads from pickup side, how the hell are you gonna get an accurate reading?

Never had a car with two drain bolts, so first oil change was pretty amusing lol. Never had low oil pressure or the low level light come on, just curious
 
T

trebor3170

mine usually gets hard with the car on
May 31, 2019
83
26
28
Salisbury, MD
Jun 28, 2019
#2
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #2
I'm thinking that at proper oil level, the oil will be above the "hump"
 

5.0aintslow

Member
May 22, 2019
32
4
18
Toronto Ontario
Jun 28, 2019
#3
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #3
trebor3170 said:
I'm thinking that at proper oil level, the oil will be above the "hump"
Click to expand...
I thought of that, but following the dipstick tube, it leads to the sump side, makes me think it’ll check level there because it would hold more than the opposing side. I think at any given time, as long as your oil level is in the “okay” zone it should be fine
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Jun 28, 2019
#4
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #4
5.0aintslow said:
I thought of that, but following the dipstick tube, it leads to the sump side, makes me think it’ll check level there because it would hold more than the opposing side. I think at any given time, as long as your oil level is in the “okay” zone it should be fine
Click to expand...
The dipstick is a bigger liar than most fishermen that I have met.

Drain both front & rear sumps, put the drain plugs back in. Then change the filter and add 4 quarts oil. Start the engine and let it idle 2 minutes or so. Shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it back in. Pull it out again and take note of the oil level. I marked the dipstick with a scratch from a file at the 4 quart level.

Add the 5th quart, start the engine and let it idle 2 minutes or so. Shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it back in. Pull it out again and take note of the oil level; it won't be anywhere near the factory full marks. I marked the dipstick with a scratch from a file at the 5 quart level, which is about 1" above the factory full mark.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,252
17,937
224
Massachusetts
Jun 28, 2019
#5
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #5
If there's enough oil in the pan, the level is high enough to be over the hump and equalize.

Of course, you want to check with the car on perfectly level ground.

And with 5 quarts of oil my dipstick is spot on
 

5.0aintslow

Member
May 22, 2019
32
4
18
Toronto Ontario
Jun 28, 2019
#6
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #6
jrichker said:
The dipstick is a bigger liar than most fishermen that I have met.

Drain both front & rear sumps, put the drain plugs back in. Then change the filter and add 4 quarts oil. Start the engine and let it idle 2 minutes or so. Shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it back in. Pull it out again and take note of the oil level. I marked the dipstick with a scratch from a file at the 4 quart level.

Add the 5th quart, start the engine and let it idle 2 minutes or so. Shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it back in. Pull it out again and take note of the oil level; it won't be anywhere near the factory full marks. I marked the dipstick with a scratch from a file at the 5 quart level, which is about 1" above the factory full mark.
Click to expand...
Yeah sometimes mines halfway in the safe mark and sometimes it’s closer to the lower mark. I can never really tell. I’ll scratch them in next oil change. Had to ask, I never drip any oil, rear main doesn’t leak, no blow by and it doesn’t look like any is coming out the tailpipe.
 

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?
20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 14, 2003
1,338
659
143
Cuba, AL
Jun 28, 2019
#7
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #7
jrichker said:
The dipstick is a bigger liar than most fishermen that I have met.

Drain both front & rear sumps, put the drain plugs back in. Then change the filter and add 4 quarts oil. Start the engine and let it idle 2 minutes or so. Shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it back in. Pull it out again and take note of the oil level. I marked the dipstick with a scratch from a file at the 4 quart level.

Add the 5th quart, start the engine and let it idle 2 minutes or so. Shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off and stick it back in. Pull it out again and take note of the oil level; it won't be anywhere near the factory full marks. I marked the dipstick with a scratch from a file at the 5 quart level, which is about 1" above the factory full mark.
Click to expand...
I keep trying to tell people this. Gonna just show them that post from now on. Good explanation.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,916
10,565
203
polk county florida
Jun 28, 2019
#8
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #8
The crown vic/grand marque with the sbf also used the two drain plug oil pan.
you are over thinking this. If any doubt just do what jrichker suggests and be done with it.
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Jun 28, 2019
#9
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • #9
Change the 2 drain plugs to Fumoto drain ball valves.

Buy Fumoto® Valve Online | Replace Oil Drain Plug

By simply replacing your stock oil drain plug, you can drain your engine oil without tools or mess. Trusted by over 10 million satisfied customers, the original Fumoto Engine Oil Drain Valve continues to offer individuals, truck owners, marine engine mechanics, and industrial engine maintenance...
www.fumotousa.com
They will last longer than the engine or the car.
 
Reactions: Rdub6
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Ongoing Battle With Hydraulic Lifters
  • hailer06
  • Jun 8, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
281
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 9, 2026
Noobz347
Engine Cheapy Fox body 7qt oil pans?
  • rednotch
  • Mar 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
772
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 15, 2025
08GT500
Engine Gas in my oil
  • limp
  • Jun 15, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
35
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 16, 2026
Mindseye007
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
387
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
871
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?