engine splash pans

[wingski]

While removing my oil pan, I’m also having to remove splash pans on each side of the engine. They hook from four of the pan bolts/nuts to six nuts and bolts on the frame on each side of the engine. What is the function of these splash pans? They are curved and lower in the back than in the front, so a dropped tool still falls onto the floor after rolling down the pan. They are black and look sort of neat, but I can’t figure out why they were installed in the first place. One thing that is cool about these things is that all the sharp edges are coverered with black vinyl even around the hole for the spin-off oil filter.

Mike

[art ebeling]

I think the splash pans help direct the air flow from the radiator along the side of the engine and out the hood vents to help cool the engine. They may also keep some the road dust from reaching the carb intake. My original pans appeared to only be connected to the oil pan at the rear where the engine is mounted solid to the frame and not at the front of the oil pan where the engine moves around from the front mount. The repos have mounting tabs at the front to the oil pan resulting in the tabs eventually breaking off from the vibration. I would like to hear from others if this is correct.

[denniskliesen]

Art, that is correct and described in the Service Bulletins. Sorry I don't have the page number, month and year, when they made those changes.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by art ebeling

I think the splash pans help direct the air flow from the radiator along the side of the engine and out the hood vents to help cool the engine. They may also keep some the road dust from reaching the carb intake. My original pans appeared to only be connected to the oil pan at the rear where the engine is mounted solid to the frame and not at the front of the oil pan where the engine moves around from the front mount. The repos have mounting tabs at the front to the oil pan resulting in the tabs eventually breaking off from the vibration. I would like to hear from others if this is correct.

I have repro pans on all three of my cars, and have never had the tabs break. The longest set has been there for over 20 years. The most recent ones were installed seven years ago.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

Art, that is correct and described in the Service Bulletins. Sorry I don't have the page number, month and year, when they made those changes.

That change was made in November 1929 (p. 393 of the FSB).

[macdonge]

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On my '30 Roadster, there's one fastening point at the rear on the oil pan rail and three equidistant on the frame rail.

[Purdy Swoft]

Engine pans have been said to improve cooling by fifteen percent . The engine pans on the 28 model A's bolted to the front crossmember with two screws on each side of the front cross member.

[d.]

#2 reply from Art has the purpose explained well...they direct the heat flow out through the hood louvers, and they keep water and road trash from reaching the carburetor and firewall. They are there for a purpose.
You might want to check the Service Bulletins or the Restoration Guidelines for further info.

[willobs]

Engine pans also complete the ground for electric system

[burner31]

Glad to hear all the good points about engine pans, I got, I mean...Santa is bringing me a set in a few day...or so I hear.