'70 Cuda 440 Oil Pan Smashed

[LordyLordy440]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1970 Cuda that sustained some fire damage but it's (was) running well and a pretty built car.  Here's my new member introduction post from last week.  One of the first things I noticed was how low the oil pan was, unfortunately I didn't realize just HOW low it was.

I was driving and hit a bump in the road, heard a scrape and suddenly noticed smoke.  Of course, I instantly pulled over and found all my oil draining out.  I got the car towed to my house and when I lifted it, it looked like the drain plug was hit and almost completed sheared off.

Any suggestions on a lower profile oil plan?  I do appear to have TTI headers and a Reily Motorsport K member.

Thanks!

[jimynick]

That's a very expensive oil pan. If you or a friend's welding skills were up to it, I'd repair the pan and relocate the drain plug to the rear vertical wall. A bit of 16-18 gauge steel and a few hours with a grinder and mig should see you back in action. Just my     

[Deezel]

Looking at your other post, that pan is sitting as low, or lower, than the headers do. That is an expensive pan but IMO it's more suited for the strip than it is for the street. Repairs can be made but if it happened once, chances are it'll happen again.

Myself, I'd be spending the money and changing it out for a 7 quart stock clearance or pro-touring pan. I think a stock 440 oil pan is something like 5" deep. I know Moroso and Milodon have them, not sure about other manufacturers.

[LordyLordy440]

Yeah my first instinct was to get it welded up but like Deezel said- with it being that low it'll likely happen again.  Although, I think I'll be able to raise the front a bit with those Ridetech coil overs. 

Any specific differences with going with a pro-touring pan versus the stock one?  And any specific suggestions for models?

[LordyLordy440]

oops just noticed that you did send some links there- thanks! 
Sheesh you guys weren't kidding these aren't cheap!

[Brads70]

I'd repair that one, not that difficult, just need to get it really clean before welding. I'd add a skid plate while I was at it.

[LordyLordy440]

Skid plate is a great idea.   Any other ideas to mitigate this happening in the future if I do end up just fixing this one? 

[cuda hunter]

Sheesh you guys weren't kidding these aren't cheap!

Welcome to Mopar.

Skid plate is a great idea.   Any other ideas to mitigate this happening in the future if I do end up just fixing this one? 

Drive extremely careful and pay a lot of attention to where you are directing the car.

I have the same pan and have to really be careful.

[LordyLordy440]

Still figuring out if I want to fix it or get a new pan but if I go with replacing, any thoughts on whether the 6 Quart Hemi model from Milodon will work?  Or the Pro Touring model?

[EV2RTSE]

No idea on the pro touring pan but my first thought was just get the hemi pan and call it good.

[LordyLordy440]

That's what I'm thinking too if I go the replacement route.  Thanks!

[Brads70]

I've had this one on my car for ...15? years now with no issues.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Milodon/697/31580/10002/-1?srsltid=AfmBOopx2VBAaHTtEmRB2-kZMzA0hG4S5P2AIpfsdDuseDc67kw4k9g1

[HP2]

How are you using the car? If its just a casual driver, the OEM style pan will be fine. If you are a serious bracket racer, the deep pan with more careful driving might work as it keep the oil away from the crank.  If you are an aggressive street driver, the pro-touring pan will be a good selection to keep oil around the pick-up during aggressive maneuvers.