I was aware that the oil pickup to pan clearance on Small Block Ford engines (and other engines) was critical and I therefore checked this using Blu Tack.
Imagine my surprise when I obtained a figure of 1.100 inches which is excessive. What is more surprising is that this was from a supposedly matched oil pan and pickup from Milodon. Both items refer to an oil pan depth of 7.75 inches.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MIL-30720/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MIL-18620/
I then contacted Mike Huddart of Huddart Engines (between Stoke and Nantwich) a very experienced builder of US engines for over 35 years.
Mike told me that the Ford Small Block bearings tend to run hotter than the Chevrolet equivalent and therefore a slightly larger pickup to pan clearance was advisable, but NOT 1.100 inches!
He recommended a clearance a little over 5/8 (0.625 inches).
I had been told by others to then “cut and shut” the oil pickup pipe and braze weld a “swan neck” to achieve the correct clearance.
Mike came up with a much simpler solution and that was to TIG weld a thin, mild steel skirt, of the required depth, to the bottom of the pickup. The skirt bottom is then effectively the bottom of the oil pickup.
In my case a thin steel band having a depth of 0.475 inches is needed. (1.100- 0.625 = 0.475 inches or 12mm).
I cannot thank Mike enough for his advice and this valuable technical tip which I would like to share with you.
If anybody needs a custom engine building, they could do a lot worse than give Mike Huddart a ring on 01270 811 427 or email him on:
huddartengines@hotmail.com
http://www.huddartengines.co.uk/
