Engine OK to sit on ground: damage to oil pan?
Engine OK to sit on ground: damage to oil pan? Hello,
I need to connect my engine and trans before installing them in my car. Is it OK for an LS engine to sit on the ground on its oil pan? What about after I get them connected together? Can the engine and transmission sit on the ground without damaging the oil pan? The aluminum F-body oil pan I put on the 5.3 certainly feels stronger than the old metal pans on the 350s that we used to sit on the ground.
Thanks,
Brandon
I need to connect my engine and trans before installing them in my car. Is it OK for an LS engine to sit on the ground on its oil pan? What about after I get them connected together? Can the engine and transmission sit on the ground without damaging the oil pan? The aluminum F-body oil pan I put on the 5.3 certainly feels stronger than the old metal pans on the 350s that we used to sit on the ground.
Thanks,
Brandon
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
From: Houston, Tx
I don't see an issue with it, especially with the cast alum oil pan. Personally, I'd put some wood blocks underneath the pan to prevent scratching up the bottom.
When I did the swap in my 67 Firebird, I had the engine sitting on a heavy duty furniture dolly. That way I can roll it around, plus it makes installing the transmission awhole lot easier.
When I did the swap in my 67 Firebird, I had the engine sitting on a heavy duty furniture dolly. That way I can roll it around, plus it makes installing the transmission awhole lot easier.
On the other hand -- I wouldn't take the chance. Aluminum castings are actually pretty easy to break, especially with a point load. Of course, I had the handy wooden "stand" the motor came to me in, so it was easy to store it there when it wasn't hanging from the cherry picker.
This is going to be one of those things where both sides of the issue will be pointed out. Bottom line -- you get to decide.
This is going to be one of those things where both sides of the issue will be pointed out. Bottom line -- you get to decide.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,298
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,298
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo Thanks for the replies:
Oil pan, Oil pot, oil jug, oil tin thang, leaf catcher, metal shaving collector, crush ring of fire, sump house, windage home, valdez Jr., fram shaving evidence,
Maybe that'll help.
Oil pan, Oil pot, oil jug, oil tin thang, leaf catcher, metal shaving collector, crush ring of fire, sump house, windage home, valdez Jr., fram shaving evidence,
Maybe that'll help.
My engine was shipped across country banded and stretch wrapped to a pallet with the weight of the engine sitting on the factory aluminum pan. It had some simple wood blocks underneath so the weight was distributed across the front part of the pan and the bottom of the sump. There was no damage while going through freight shipment and that is much harsher than just lowering it carefully with a hoist. I'm sure if you set some wood blocks under in the right places it will be just fine, with or without the transmission connected to it.
GM ships them wire strapped to a pallet front/rear each side with the weight of the engine bearing on the four big machining tabs at each corner of the block (supported by 4 2x4 columns) - cast oil pan suspended above the pallet bearing no weight at all. As shown below....
Attachment 713690
Attachment 713690
GM ships them wire strapped to a pallet front/rear each side with the weight of the engine bearing on the four big machining tabs at each corner of the block (supported by 4 2x4 columns) - cast oil pan suspended above the pallet bearing no weight at all. As shown below....
I like how GM crates their engine. Those four tabs on the block are probably also used for support and positioning during production machining and assembly.
Mine wasn't crated like that though; definitely was sitting on the pan when it arrived.
Mine wasn't crated like that though; definitely was sitting on the pan when it arrived.