How much oil pan clearance needed?

I am installing a 347 stroker in my 56 customline. It was originally a 6 cyl, so knew it would be tight. I did as many others that did the swap and have switched to front sump pan to clear cross member.

My question is, how much should you "expect" this thing to torque or move around? With the engine sitting in there right now, there is about an 1/8 inch of clearance between pan and front cross member. I can build some spacers if needed, no problem, but I only want to raise it enough to be safe and not over do it. How much clearance would you say is needed? 1/8, 1/2, 1"?

I am using stock motor mounts currently, not poly or anything. Expecting in the 400HP/tq range. manual trans

 

My feeling here is that 1/2" should be enough if the mounts don't sag after getting on it. If they are side mounts that mount to the engine on an angle, the more the better. If they are biscuit mounts that place the engine weight vertically then the 1/2" clearance would probably be enough.

 

These are the mounts I am using, ford truck 302 mounts



This is what they look like on the engine, right before I dropped it into the frame mount

 

Good rule oof thumb is an inch I think 1/2 inch will do you

 

anyone see a problem just taking some round stock and drilling a hole through it, placing between the block and mounts to raise her up a 1/2" or so? I know many others have done it, although on mostly stock engines that i know of. Should this high power beast work ok like that?

 

Most guys that have done a 302 swap in a 54 to 56 car use spacers between the mount and the block to raise it up some. I agree with the 1/2 inch, should not need more than that.

If there is settling, increase the length of the spacer.

 

I think it a lot will depend on how you drive it 4000+ RPM launches you will need much more clearance than crusing down the Blvd.

Stroker to me means drive it like you stole it so you might want to factor the clearance in or put a limit strap on the side to limit the twist.

 

I definitely agree, stroker means drive it like you stole it . However in my case stroker means buy it like you got a hell of a deal on it, which I did. It wont see 5-6000 rpm launches or the track. It will be a cruiser, although one that will spank the occasional mustang punk. But this will be no racer, just a driver with some gettin into every so often... However I want to be able to drive it like i want to, so want to make sure I have enough clearance

 

Try some 1/4" stock between mounts and frame brackets. This should lift 1/2" or so since they are on angle and will "pinch up" enough to gain 1/2" clearance. Remember the stud lengths when doing this, 1/4" may not provide enough threads for retaining nuts. Make sure nut covers threads up to top of nut. Might want to use a self locking nut.