6 Qts. OF OIL In MY 8BA

[19Fordy]

Not trying to reopen a question but, I thought it would be worth posting that my 8BA engine with a 1950 Mercury rear sump oil pan and oil filter holds 6 quarts of oil at the full mark on the dip stick.

Dip stick measure 16 1/2 in. from tip to hilt.

[tubman]

Is the dipstick marked? I have seen them marked "8CM", 8RT", and "8BA".

[42merc]

I had the same engine / pan / stick combo in my '40. 5 quarts registered low on the stick.
On a trip to Colorado, (from Michigan) with the oil filled to the full mark on the dipstick, I was using a quart of oil about every 500 miles. This was with a fresh & sound engine well broken in.
On my return trip I let the oil stay at the add mark (about a quart low) & used not a drop of oil for 1200 miles.
What I'm saying is - 6 quarts in a flathead is too much oil. If your are just puttin' around town it doesn't matter. But at speed, 60 to 70 mph plus it made a difference. The car was OD equipped to allow these speeds.

[V8 Bob]

The '49-'51 Mercury shop manual does state 6 quarts with a filter, 5 in the pan. I have this pan along with a remote filter on my '32 using 6 quarts with no oil usage issues.

I tested the pan capacity in my solvent tank by tilting the pan about 7 degrees (to match the intake carb mount angle) and filled using a quart container. Five quarts were below the windage tray, while 6 quarts came up even with it.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by tubman

Is the dipstick marked? I have seen them marked "8CM", 8RT", and "8BA".

The only mark on the dip stick is a the very tiny letter "M" stamped on the stick about 1 inch above the full mark.

[19Fordy]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

The '49-'51 Mercury shop manual does state 6 quarts with a filter, 5 in the pan. I have this pan along with a remote filter on my '32 using 6 quarts with no oil usage issues.

I tested the pan capacity in my solvent tank by tilting the pan about 7 degrees (to match the intake carb mount angle) and filled using a quart container. Five quarts were below the windage tray, while 6 quarts came up even with it.

V8Bob: Thanks. I found the following info. in my 49-51 Mercury Overhaul manual on page 10.

Capacity of Engine oil (dry) 6 qts.

[GOSFAST]

Not sure if a photo I have here will help, but we check all builds for the correct level before the pan gets installed!

This is a shot of Joe V's pan that we welded the removable bottom closed on, I believe it's a Merc or truck??

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. This is 5 qts to the full mark, no filter in the program!

[19Fordy]

Looks like an early Ford truck pan.
Is that little rectangular protrusion at the front an add on?

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by GOSFAST

Not sure if a photo I have here will help, but we check all builds for the correct level before the pan gets installed!

This is a shot of Joe V's pan that we welded the removable bottom closed on, I believe it's a Merc or truck??

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. This is 5 qts to the full mark, no filter in the program!

The pan was used on the flathead in F-1 Ford trucks and the other larger commercial trucks made servicing the pump pickup easy. Also made for a large oil leak location when things aged.
Ronnieroadster

[GOSFAST]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Looks like an early Ford truck pan.
Is that little rectangular protrusion at the front an add on?

Joe had asked for ALL 3 mains to have stainless straps installed with an ARP main stud kit. Only that front one presented an issue with the pan clearance, the rear strap/fastener was very close to the oil pickup but not a big deal. The Melling pump also needed some clearancing on the side of the pan.

I fabricated the straps here in-house and spent extra time trying to "lower" the fasteners on the #1 main but could only reach a certain point. That's when Joe decided to "mod" the pan in the front!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Here's a couple more shots of the pan/straps being done!

[51 MERC-CT]

A little '50 MERC dip stick and oil pan data.