So what is the proper oil level in a SBF? No, not how do you read a dipstick, but where should the oil level be in the pan when the pan is filled to the proper level. I have seen/read comments that say the oil should be as close to the crankshaft as possible without the crank hitting the oil. Some aftermarket oil pans say that the level should be at the level of the top of the side extensions on the pan (these are the ones with "bulges" that hold more oil).
So has anyone else ever wondered if that pretty Lokar billet dipstick is in fact reading correctly? Not as big a deal on a stock engine but how about one that has been modified, as in sections removed to make clearance for suspension components.

 

I asked my friends father who was a Chrysler mechanic and did a lot of side work on old mopars about changing the oil pan and how to read the dipstick. Unfortunately his response wasn't simple.

If the new pan is deeper, you may have to adjust the height of the oil pump pickup, but he said that he usually kept the same dip stick level regardless of the size of the sump since the dip stick level is set so that you don't put in too much oil or too
little for the oil pump to get proper priming.

Now if the new pan holds the same amount as the old but is just shaped differently then you just have to add new markings on the back of the original dipstick to indicate full and 1 quart low. Essentially what he does is add all but the last quart and run the engine long enough to get it circulated in the filter. Then he marks that on the back of the original dipstick. Then he adds the final quart and marks the new full point.

 

Thanks Jerry. I wish it were that easy for me, in my situation the oil pan has the dipstick mounted to it...the point of reference for oil level has now moved. If the dipstick were mounted in the block it would be a much simpler proposition. The new pan also came with a new pickup so I am good on that point. I have spoken to the tech rep from the manufacturer of the oil pan and he told me what dipstick they use on their pans...Lokar universal. I have one on order but I still have the issue of determining the proper oil level since I removed sections of the pan to accommodate suspension, header collector, etc. I think that I will just have to add oil until the level indicates full and then make a note of how much that took. The pan is a 7 qt so I anticipate that it will hold about 6-1/2 to 6-3/4.

 

Just my opinion, but if the engine was originally 5 qt. (including filter) and the new pickup is in the same proximity to the bottom of the new pan, then 5 qt. is still enough. If you want to take advantage of the extra capacity, you could go to 6 qt. without a problem. Since you decreased the overall volume of the pan, 7 qt. might get a little close to the crank.

Personally, I would set the low mark at 5 qt. and the full mark at 6.