Clearancing / spacing the windage tray for 4" stroker
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For 4" stroke applications, its common knowledge on this site to use 2 washers on each main stud under the windage tray to give clearance for the connecting rod bolts.
Another option is to buy a windage tray (aftermarket or GM) that is made for the stroker application.
Here is my write up for solving this issue with a factory LM7 windage tray (GM P/N 12558268) and ARP main studs. This is part of my 383 build which can be viewed here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...lots-pics.html
The washers used for this are 3/8" SS cut washers from Home Depot (P/N 436873). Dimensions of the washers are 0.408" ID x 0.821" OD x 0.057" THK. The nuts used here are generic 10mm, also from Home Depot. I plan to use blue loctite on the final assembly.
The first thing is to drill out 3 of the bolt holes in the tray that do not fit the 10mm studs. I used a step drill bit at 7/16".
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/drill.jpg)
For spacing the tray, I tried the 2 washer method however I was not satisfied with the amount of clearance (my washers are only 0.057" thick, maybe this is why). I opted for 4 washers per stud, which results in ~0.075" minimum clearance as shown below.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/4washers.jpg)
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/rodboltclearance.jpg)
I did a test-fit with the oil pan (without gasket), and there was some interference with the tray. Light clearancing with an angle grinder was required as shown below.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/grindingtray.jpg)
The next issue is of course the pickup tube. My goal was to keep the pickup tube in its original position to ensure no problems at the pickup-oilpan end, or the alignment of the oring to the oil pump at the other end. Here is how I did it.
The pickup end support bracket was placed under the windage tray, with 3 washers on top as shown:
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/pickupbracket.jpg)
The tray was cut to allow the midpoint support bracket to rest under the tray as shown (2 washers under the bracket):
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/notch.jpg)
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/midpoint.jpg)
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/midpoint2.jpg)
The tricky part now is to assemble the tray, tube, and oil pump body in the correct sequence to avoid clashing together. After a few attempts, success.
The first step is to assemble the tube/tray/washers as shown (before the oil pump is installed) and tighten only the 2 nuts shown below. This requires pulling the tube to the right side slightly so the socket will fit.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/tightbolts.jpg)
Then install the oil pump body housing/oring and align to the timing gear accordingly. Then tighten down the remaining windage tray nuts.
For checking the pickup-oilpan clearance, I used painters tape and orange playdough. The result was .25" clearance without the pan gasket.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/pickupclearancetest.jpg)
This process took about 1.5 hours.
Hope this helps anyone searching for this issue
Another option is to buy a windage tray (aftermarket or GM) that is made for the stroker application.
Here is my write up for solving this issue with a factory LM7 windage tray (GM P/N 12558268) and ARP main studs. This is part of my 383 build which can be viewed here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...lots-pics.html
The washers used for this are 3/8" SS cut washers from Home Depot (P/N 436873). Dimensions of the washers are 0.408" ID x 0.821" OD x 0.057" THK. The nuts used here are generic 10mm, also from Home Depot. I plan to use blue loctite on the final assembly.
The first thing is to drill out 3 of the bolt holes in the tray that do not fit the 10mm studs. I used a step drill bit at 7/16".
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/drill.jpg)
For spacing the tray, I tried the 2 washer method however I was not satisfied with the amount of clearance (my washers are only 0.057" thick, maybe this is why). I opted for 4 washers per stud, which results in ~0.075" minimum clearance as shown below.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/4washers.jpg)
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/rodboltclearance.jpg)
I did a test-fit with the oil pan (without gasket), and there was some interference with the tray. Light clearancing with an angle grinder was required as shown below.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/grindingtray.jpg)
The next issue is of course the pickup tube. My goal was to keep the pickup tube in its original position to ensure no problems at the pickup-oilpan end, or the alignment of the oring to the oil pump at the other end. Here is how I did it.
The pickup end support bracket was placed under the windage tray, with 3 washers on top as shown:
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/pickupbracket.jpg)
The tray was cut to allow the midpoint support bracket to rest under the tray as shown (2 washers under the bracket):
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/notch.jpg)
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/midpoint.jpg)
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/midpoint2.jpg)
The tricky part now is to assemble the tray, tube, and oil pump body in the correct sequence to avoid clashing together. After a few attempts, success.
The first step is to assemble the tube/tray/washers as shown (before the oil pump is installed) and tighten only the 2 nuts shown below. This requires pulling the tube to the right side slightly so the socket will fit.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/tightbolts.jpg)
Then install the oil pump body housing/oring and align to the timing gear accordingly. Then tighten down the remaining windage tray nuts.
For checking the pickup-oilpan clearance, I used painters tape and orange playdough. The result was .25" clearance without the pan gasket.
![](http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc459/MattReznicek/pickupclearancetest.jpg)
This process took about 1.5 hours.
Hope this helps anyone searching for this issue
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