1952-59 Ford Oil Pan vs Drag link

Hey all!

I'm putting a 292 in my 53' and have come to a crossroads...

None of the oil pans that I have for my Y block will clear the drag link. I'm wondering if it would be better to put a drop in the drag link, much like the ones Hurst used to make back in the day, or if I should modify the oil pan to accommodate a center sump? I have every kind of Y-Block oil pan(even a T-Bird pan), and none of them clear the drag link...

If anyone has ideas or suggestions/pros or cons, please send em' my way.

 

This article was posted in the "sticky file" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177373&page=2 It shows the dropped tie rod back in the day this is the way it was always done in the '49-53 Fords,Hurst and Trans-Dapt sold the dropped center links but they disappeared in the mid 70's from production.

 

I have seen pans with a tube welded in that the centerlink went thru. Am sure that it was an installation headache. In my 51 with the Fatman draglink upgrade had a slight interference problem (zerk fitting against pan) so a notch was made in the back and another in front of a rear sump pan. Cut in front was made to allow adding the piece cut out of the back to maintain oil capacity. Pickup tube was extended to sit in now a true midsump pan.

 

Thanks Jeff and Zapato! I’ve been in a real pickle trying to decide what to do. My father had a 51’ that he put an Olds Rocket in, in the early 60’s, and he told me that dropping the drag link with a whole engine swap kit he got from Hurst worked great.

I keep getting about 50/50 results as I ask people what route I should take.

I have about five pans and one extra draglink. The pans cost a lot less than a draglink and my funds a getting tight, so I think I’m going to start there…

I’ll post pics as I make progress.

Thanks again!


-Johnny

 

Have you tried or looked at a Y-Block rear sump oil pan from a truck?

 

Streetdreams, the article I posted a link to above tells you to use a truck oil pan you still have to use a dropped drag link in 1949-53 Fords no matter which brand of OHV motor you use.You might post a "wanted add" in the HAMB cl***ifieds for one they do show up on there and sometimes ebay also there is this group that may have a lead on one http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=127