1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity

[Ronnieroadster]

Question about oil pan capacity. Wondering what the actual Ford required oil capacity is for the 59A oil pan is it four or five quarts? Have dip sticks with various full marks. Once I know the actual Ford capacity I can check the dip sticks to find the correct ones.
Ronniroadster

[19Fordy]

Here's the answer.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ford...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

Question about oil pan capacity. Wondering what the actual Ford required oil capacity is for the 59A oil pan is it four or five quarts? Have dip sticks with various full marks. Once I know the actual Ford capacity I can check the dip sticks to find the correct ones.
Ronniroadster

The engineering drawings clearly depict five US quarts. It does NOT matter whether or not there is / was a filter.
I still don't understand why this four quart "theory" is still out there.
That google link posted in a previous response is full of inaccurate information.

[Brian]

I still don't understand why this four quart "theory" is still out there.


With respect Mike, possibly because 4 imperial quarts equates to five of your yankee quarts...Here in New Zealand, I fill my flatheads with 4 [imperial] quarts....

[cas3]

Up until the Japanese invasion in the 70's, I think every car on the road took 5 US quarts.

I worked at a gas station in my teens, we put 5 quarts in without looking.

[The Art Doctor]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When i put 5 in the early motor with no rear main seal it winds up on the ground very quickly at each time I turn of the motor. With only 4 in there the puddle is significantly smaller at each engine shutdown. A previous owner scratched in a line on the dip stick at 4 and I at first ignored it and put in 5. Well very quickly it was down to that mark. Losses from there are much slower. Next change i will put in only 4 and keep the giant puddles at bay and save the extra to top back up to 4 when needed. The factory DANGER mark is 3 quarts on my dipstick.

[19Fordy]

Thanks Kube for the correct info.

[Ronnieroadster]

Thanks for the information everyone since I'm in the United States 5 quarts will be the capacity I work from.
Ronnieroadster

[Tim Ayers]

5 quarts is what I've been using as well. It is a little maddening that you need to use the corresponding dip stick for the pan. It seems that '49-'53 dip sticks are marked with an engine series and the earlier ones are not.

[Kens 36]

Originally Posted by cas3

Up until the Japanese invasion in the 70's, I think every car on the road took 5 US quarts.

I worked at a gas station in my teens, we put 5 quarts in without looking.

Not quite. The 1949 - 1951 Mercury engines held 6 quarts. Lincolns of the same years held 6 1/2 quarts. Just a couple of examples, I'm sure there are more.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by The Art Doctor

When i put 5 in the early motor with no rear main seal it winds up on the ground very quickly at each time I turn of the motor. With only 4 in there the puddle is significantly smaller at each engine shutdown. A previous owner scratched in a line on the dip stick at 4 and I at first ignored it and put in 5. Well very quickly it was down to that mark. Losses from there are much slower. Next change i will put in only 4 and keep the giant puddles at bay and save the extra to top back up to 4 when needed. The factory DANGER mark is 3 quarts on my dipstick.

Incorrect dipstick and / or sludge in the pan will cause those issues.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by cas3

Up until the Japanese invasion in the 70's, I think every car on the road took 5 US quarts.

I worked at a gas station in my teens, we put 5 quarts in without looking.

Ha! A great reason back then to tell the jockey "no thanks, I'll take care of it myself".

[Ron_r1959]

I think somewhere I read when Henry first come out with the v8, they held 4 quarts, they apparently had a oil consumption problem initially so he added a extra quart to help buy some time I suppose. Maybe that original 4 quart capacity just stuck in peoples head? I heard that over the years many times and I have also heard about the oil leaks getting worse with 5 as mentioned above, but I know on mine, I run 5 quarts just because I can I guess. It makes me feel better on long runs since mine is a driver.

[big job]

my 59 AB when I put 4 qts stick reads full. another qt reads over full mark. (no filter) I go around the block now it reads full. engine has only 10,000 miles . no sluge it was thermo baked came back pure cast as new. I also have couple F6's 5 qts my F8 337 0 qts.

so I say 5 quarts from 59A to 8ba's.