Oil Pan...To Weld or to Replace?

[DougD]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

This is the part that concerns me. Are these older stories or more recent? I can't imagine that Canton's QC is that bad, is it? They have to have mechanisms in place to pressure test every component that they manufacture.

A hot tanking, re-weld and fresh powder coat is far less than a new one.

All three were bought new in the last two years. I don't intend to bash Canton, just point out that there are problems with even new pans.

Anyone know how to pressure test an oil pan?

[Got the Bug]

I also heard a recent story regarding a pinhole leak in a brand new Aviaid pan.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by DougD

All three were bought new in the last two years...just point out that there are problems with even new pans.

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I also heard a recent story regarding a pinhole leak in a brand new Aviad pan.

You guys comfort me.

[Three Peaks]

Are you sure you can't just plug the leak with some bubble gum? or duct tape?

Bob

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I also heard a recent story regarding a pinhole leak in a brand new Aviad pan.

That was me! I had two small pinholes in the tube that comes out of the back of the Aviaid pan for the oil puke tank. At first, Aviaid wanted to weld and replate it and they said it would take a week, but I'm sure it would have been much longer This was unacceptable to me for a brand new pan that had about 600 miles on it and cost $600+. So I moaned () some more and was sent a new pan.

I'll tell you what, I hate leaks.

Don't want em, don't need em, can't drive with em, can't win with em (paraphrased kinda from Mike Singletary's first rant after his first game as head coach with the 49ers-see youtube-good stuff).

[RedBarchetta]

My pan was leaking so bad on Saturday, for a moment I actually thought I had an FE under the hood.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

My pan was leaking so bad on Saturday, for a moment I actually thought I had an FE under the hood.

We (FE owners) resemble that remark.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

That was me! I had two small pinholes in the tube that comes out of the back of the Aviaid pan for the oil puke tank. At first, Aviaid wanted to weld and replate it and they said it would take a week, but I'm sure it would have been much longer This was unacceptable to me for a brand new pan that had about 600 miles on it and cost $600+. So I moaned () some more and was sent a new pan.

I'll tell you what, I hate leaks.

Don't want em, don't need em, can't drive with em, can't win with em (paraphrased kinda from Mike Singletary's first rant after his first game as head coach with the 49ers-see youtube-good stuff).

Brave soul....despises oil leaks and purchases an FE.

Like the first scratch, the first drip is the toughest....then life goes on.

[PANAVIA]

Dean- I could have my welder fix your pan if you would like.

--Steve

[RedBarchetta]

Steve, thanks for the offer. But San Jose is a bit of a trek for a good TIG welder. I have several sources locally that I'm going to explore.

I just dropped off the pan this morning at my local chrome shop for a good hot tanking. $20 later and it will be ready for pick-up tomorrow afternoon, naked as a new born baby. Hoping to score a better deal on the powder coat once I get past the welding stage. Decided to go this route rather than pay $300+ for something that still may leak new.

-Dean

[TButtrick]

This is the only thing I've found of use for a Canton pan.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Brave soul....despises oil leaks and purchases an FE.

Like the first scratch, the first drip is the toughest....then life goes on.

I thought I could tame the beast. BTW, just got my car back from its Winter hibernation (and new oil pan) and so far, knock on wood, NO LEAKS. But everyday brings new day and a new opportunity for a new leak.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

This is the only thing I've found of use for a Canton pan.

Now you're going to ruin a good table when the water leaks out.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

This is the only thing I've found of use for a Canton pan.

That same thought did cross my mind.

But if this fix doesn't do it and I have to pull it off for the last time, I will mis-treat it with a 10lb sledge hammer before I dishonor a living thing (plant). And I will post the pics on CC to prove my point, too.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by DougD

All three were bought new in the last two years. I don't intend to bash Canton, just point out that there are problems with even new pans.

Anyone know how to pressure test an oil pan?

I have 2 Canton road race pans in use right now, one on my 331 stroker road race car, bought used form a fellow CC member, so far, five seasons of racing, no leaks,no problems......

The other on my 65 Fastback, 351-W, been on the car for about 10 to 12 years now I guess....1,500 miles or more of open track running, over 100 1/4 mile drag passes and 25,000+ street miles, so far, no leaks,no problems, I guess I'm just lucky........

David

[RedBarchetta]

Mike Chrisman (son of Art Chrisman...yes, that Art Chrisman), is going to do the patch welding for me. Even gave me a fair quote ($50). I didn't realize that their shop is within walking distance of my office here in SE Santa Ana (!).

By the time I have the pan powder coated I will have $150 into the fix, less than 1/2 of a new one.

I'm still drooling over some of the cars the Chrismans have and/or are working on. OMG...craftsman to the nth degree!
Here's a shot of one of them that was in the corner of the shop.



-Dean

[RedBarchetta]

Got the pan back from Chrisman's (got a chance to speak with Art for a moment!) and then promptly dropped it off at the powder coaters.



You can see where the cracks developed. The ones in the middle were mostly little seepers...nuisance leaks more than anything (but getting worse). The entire rear of the sump had a crack almost from end to end...it wasn't that obvious until after the hot tanking process. Mike Chrisman asked me how much oil I had lost and I just told him, "Enough to coat the underside of the car all the way back to the tank...I was lucky."

Based on the oil I recovered, it appears I only lost 1 to 1.5 quarts at the most. The worst of it must have been happening right before I was pulling into the garage.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

-Dean

P.S. Art is deep into his 70's, hearing aids in both ears, yet there he was at a welding table getting ready to work on an intake manifold for an injection system.

[Three Peaks]

Yup, a good welder can do some really good stuff and save you money in the long run. Nice looking bead across the back seam of the pan.

Is that powdercoat? You can get an almost identical paint color with Eastwoods original style carburetor paint.

Looks like you'll be back on the road in no time.

Bob

[RedBarchetta]

Bob, the gold sheen that you see is actually bare steel that has been hot tanked and starting to develop a little surface rust. There may also be remnants of the original gold iridite finish that Canton applies...not sure if hot tanking ever fully removes that.

Powder coat will be the same aluminum shade that I had before (see my gallery).

-Dean

[Three Peaks]

Forgot you had the pan hot tanked. Should powder coat great with the nice virgin finish.

I bought a Canton pan from a guy on FFcobra for my 351W and it is powdercoated a Candy Pearl Blue color. It is so darned pretty I'm not sure I want to put it under my car where it won't be seen and might get damaged!