oil pan/clutch housing Road Clearance

[cobraman428]

My Classic Roadster's oil pan and clutch housing are only about 3 1/2 inches off the pavement surface. Talking about a low rider. I'm concerned about going over speed tables or speed bumps. Anyone else have those concerns? I came up on a speed bump the other day and had to wave cars past me then turn around. Hit one of those and it could ruin a day and bank account !!

[bobcowan]

You are correct. They should not hang down lower than the frame rails.

What oil pan do you have now? Change to a T oil pan if you really need the additional oil capacity. If you don't need the additional capacity, just use a shorter pan.

What BH are you using? If it's Lakewood or QuickTime scatterproof, you can trim off a bit on the bottom. It won't be SFI certified anymore, but you won't lose it on your driveway, either.

You could also consider welding soe heavy duty tubing to the bottom of your frame rails to act like skids over the speed bumps.

[Jerry Clayton]

look at the trimmed lakewood pics I just posted in the Quick Time thread

[MaSnaka]

Cobraman,
I have a 390fe with the Canton T-Pan. It is the same depth as a stock oil pan but has the wings that hold the extra capacity. I also have a 28" tall tire. My bell housing has been trimmed flat on the bottom where the flange use to hang down. I measure close to 27" from the ground up to the top of the inside of my wheel wells. I probably have 4 1/2"-5" of ground clearance. I have rubbed on occasion but go slow over the bumps and try and go at a diagonal to them. Or you could get a Hummer. Just kidding.

John

[marco454v8]

I haven't scraped my oil pan yet, but as it's only slightly behind the front wheels, I think it's pretty 'safe' it's only if there is something protruduing in the road (like gate stoppers) that could cause a problem. I thought about making an alloy skid plate.
The oil cooler shroud is more succeptible I think.
Mark

[Double Venom]

The biggest key to larger bell housing and oil pans is to crossover large speed bumps at a large angle!
DV

[MaSnaka]

Cobraman,
I was quoting you measurements from memory...ah today I used my tape measure and came up with different numbers...imagine that, sorry. here are the correct measurements you can use to compare with your own. front wheel well lip at the top is 26", rear is 27", oil pan and bell housing ground clearance 3 1/4". It,s enough clearance for most bumps but I do like DV recommends and pass the taller bumps at as much angle as I can, grit my teeth and squint my eyes and cross my fingers and hope.

John

[MaSnaka]

sorry double post