460 Oil Pan Ground Clearance??

Franko · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 12:21 AM

Hi Everyone

I'm in the middle of installing a 466 (385 Series) motor in my cobra. Can anyone share with me the total clearance I should expect from the oil pan to the ground? Any advise?? Anyone ever destroy a oil pan from hitting something in the road?

Tom Wells · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 07:47 AM

Yo Franko,

It depends

It depends on the height of the motor mounts: brand & ride height of kit; also brand and style of pan.

My E-M with the Canton 7-quart road race pan has no problem with clearance - within reason of course. Speed bumps and potholes are negotiated with care especially if I have a large passenger aboard.

The lowest point under my car is not the engine pan. The C-6 finned aluminum deep pan for the transmission hangs down about an inch below the engine pan, and has been known to protest if I forget about the big bumps. So far no leaks

The trans pan is low enough that I have had the drain plug replaced with a hex plug so the bolt head isn't the lowest point any more

Depending on the total car, some folks have a bit more problem with some of the exhaust parts or even the bottom of the bell housing scraping.

Regards,

Tom

Tim Brewer · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 10:04 AM

Like Tom says, if your car is a standard, your bellhousing should be lower than your pan..
Tim

Franko · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 05:13 PM

Just wanted to compare. Do you end up with more than 3" of ground clearance??

tpiini · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 05:33 PM

I've tagged this thread so I could keep track of the responses, as I have the same question. I know that someone posted a list of engine dimensions a while back and that was great. But what I, personally, would REALLY like to see is a list of measurements up and down from crank centerline. If I were to swap from a SB to a BB, I'd be interested in knowing not only if I'd have enough room under the hood, but if I'd have to re-orient the transmission, thus causing phasing problems with the U-joints.

Tom

jdean · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2004, 05:47 PM

I have a stock 460 oil pan, and it drops down about the same as the transmission pan. The transmission pan I have is about 3/4" deeper than stock.
Even after lowering my engine (so that I could get some type of air cleaner to fit under the hood) by modifying the motor mounts, I still have about 4" of ground clearance at the lowest point.

djseed · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2004, 08:29 AM

I have a photo in my gallery of the Canton Marine pan on my 429/501 installed in my SPF. The 9 qt Marine pan gives slightly better clearance than the Canton T pan. The lowest part of the car is the Lakewood bellhousing. I trimmed if off after the photo was taken. It is still the lowest part of the car.

scootter · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2004, 11:30 AM

I have an SPF with a 514 and a Canton 7 quart pan. With 275/45 ZR 16 in the front and the coil shocks Adjusted about 1/2" from the bottom, I have about 4" ( 4 1/4" by the dent) from the grond. The bell housing is lower.

Dominik · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 12:39 AM

Hi,
I plan to install a 460 in my own chassis.
I want to set the crank centerline at about 13 3/4" from the floor.
I did one chassis with a 427's crank CL 12 3/4" from floor which is quite low, but clears the air filter nicely to the hood.
can't tell you the ground clearance to pan right now because it's on jackstands.

the bellhousing is defenitely deeper down on most powertrain assemblies.
ERA even gives advise where to cut it on their website.
ERAREPLICAS.COM

Dom

Dominik · #10 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 03:40 AM

well,

the chassis is 5" above ground, the 428 pan just under 4" above grd.
if I am not too far off, that should result in the crank CL at 12 3/4" above grd.

give or take a bit, the chassis still in the air.

Dom

cobrashoch · #11 (**permalink**) 10-29-2004, 11:48 PM

51/2 inches at the pan with, the pan about one inch above the glide. Headers are my low point, about 1/2 inch lower than the trannny. Beware, not all Canton pans fit all 385's the same. The pan rails vary in thickness dependent on castings and year. For some reason the Canton pans seems to be the most problematic to seal up of the whole bunch. I am running a custom Stefs pan but would most likely jump on a Armondo's pan, given if I were to do it over. If you get a custom pan, don't forget to order a couple of extra bungs (cheap) for those future projects we all love to do.
I also had Stefs weld on a skid plate on the bottom but found that to be a waste of money.
cobrashock

clayfoushee · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2004, 12:30 AM

Franko,

About 3.5" is what I have with a 427SO and a Canton Pan. What kind of trannie are you planning? That can make a difference. If you're planning adjustable coil-overs, that can help. But mine is set-up so the top of the tires is just about 1/2" visible in all four wheel wells.

I have a toploader with Lakewood Shatterproof bellhousing that was also cut off at the bottom to match the clearance of the Canton Pan.

It works OK, and I've never hit anything, but you have to be careful. Since the pan is so far back from the front wheels, you need to avoid things like speed bumps.

mdross1 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004, 05:49 AM

The lowest point on my 460 powered Cobra is the steel bellhousing flange.I learned to be a little cautious.No problem!! My 550 hp motor is well worth the concern.Also modified the hood scoop to let the motor breath properly,a must do!! Per K&N, a 3" tall 14"dia,with Extreme cover is the only way to go. I use a modified 850cfm dbl pmp Holley.