Oil capacity clarification

[Heard]

As I continue on my 10 year refurb of my pickup, I'm finally ready to try to start the engine, an 8BA that I had Gary Sharkey (GosFast) build for me a few years ago. Of course I want to be sure I have good oil pressure before actually starting the engine.

I have read a number of threads regarding oil capacity. The only thing that seems certain from my limited research is that it seems there is not a very definitive answer.

As I started to fill the crankcase with oil, I carefully measured the amount going in. I filled the oil filter as best I could which is a remote spin on type, dumped some down towards the oil pump and then started filling normally. When I got to 3 quarts, it registered full on the dipstick. I don't believe for a second that 3 qts. is enough oil, but what is going on?

The dipstick I have is a reproduction I believe but I'm not sure. It is marked on the dipstick as being 8BA. I believe the pan is for an 8BA but again, I'm not certain. My coupe has a dipstick marked as 8RT which, if I used this dipstick, would allow me to add another quart before registering full. BUT...the coupe also has a different pan on it.

Can someone please point me in the right direction on this? I don't want to screw this up.

Thanks,
Heard

[69a]

I have two 8BA's. Tube should measure 7 3/4" extended from the fitting on the oil pan.
The FULL mark should be 12 1/2" below that.

[Ken/Alabama]

I’d put five quarts in there then scribe a new line on the dipstick.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

I’d put five quarts in there then scribe a new line on the dipstick.

This. Does your truck have the rear sump 8RT pan with the large clean out plate? If so, find an 8RT dip stick for it.

[19Fordy]

Last week I took a 1949-53 8RT oil pan with the correct length tube and matching 8RT dip stick and placed it on the ground and added 1 qt of water to see what levels it reached on the dipstick. It took 6 quarts of water to reach the FULL mark on the dip stick.

[19Fordy]

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Last week I checked how much water (pretend the water is oil)) it takes to fill a 1949-53 8RT oil pan (shown above) with clean out plate with the correct matching 8BA dipstick and tube. The readings were as follows:
1 qt. water level was 1 1/2 in. below tip of dip stick.
2 qt. water level 3/4 in. below dipstick.
3 qt. water just touched tip of dipstick
4 qt. water level at the top of the LOW mark and bottom of the SAFE mark
5 qt. water level in the middle of the SAFE range on dip stick
6 qt. water level at the FULL line on dip stick
If you run a filter maybe a 1/2 qt. more of oil should be added.

Measurement info. is shown below. Notice DIPSTICK is STAMPED 8BA from factory.
There is no baffle in the 8RT pan.
FINAL NOTE: The last photo shows another dipstick and tube I have available if you need it.

[cas3]

Totally agree with Ken, put 5 quarts in and then punch mark, chisel mark, hacksaw mark, drill tiny hole like the newfangled cars have, take your pick

[19Fordy]

Avoid the hacksaw as the kerf presents a perfect place for a crack to develop and eventually break the dip stick as it bends upon insertion and removal. Dimple is best.

[big job]

Next is my turn: Since day one 5 quarts (no filter) it showed full on the stick; At 2000 miles change the oil now shows 4 quarts at the full Mark? One would think there would be 10 pounds of sludge in the pan, not so this block was thermo cleaned & bead blasted that came back as pure cast iron. Note this local shop that did that-flatheads are no stranger to them they built 100s . also the engine is original 59A NO truck pan. Midnight gremlins at work again

[V8 Bob]

Heard, a picture of your pan will help with capacity, but '49-'53 Ford center sump car pans hold 4 quarts, while the rear sump '49-'51 Merc and truck pans hold 5, so add one quart with the filter for both styles.

[Heard]

Originally Posted by 69a

I have two 8BA's. Tube should measure 7 3/4" extended from the fitting on the oil pan.
The FULL mark should be 12 1/2" below that.

I think you have identified the issue. I do indeed have a tube that is 7 3/4", BUT my FULL mark on the dipstick is actually at 13 5/8". This is on a dipstick stamped as 8BA.

This also seems to validate what Ken and others have said. I think if I dumped another 2 qts in there, it may very well raise that level to 12 1/2". I'm going to try this and take a measurement at 4 qts and 5 and then just mark the dipstick.

And to clarify...I do not have the 8RT pan with the large clean out.

[Heard]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Last week I checked how much water (pretend the water is oil)) it takes to fill a 1949-53 8RT oil pan (shown above) with clean out plate with the correct matching 8BA dipstick and tube. The readings were as follows:
Measurement info. is shown below. Notice DIPSTICK is STAMPED 8BA from factory.
There is no baffle in the 8RT pan.
FINAL NOTE: The last photo shows another dipstick and tube I have available if you need it.

Thanks for this info but I'm curious as to why you would use an 8BA dipstick if you are checking an 8RT pan. The dipsticks are definitely different lengths.

I must be missing something.

[Ggmac]

Heard , pm sent

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by Heard

Thanks for this info but I'm curious as to why you would use an 8BA dipstick if you are checking an 8RT pan. The dipsticks are definitely different lengths.

I must be missing something.

4/11/24 Yes, I was surprised that the dip stick was stamped 8BA BUT, when I inserted it in the pan and filled it with 6 qts of water, the readings seem to make sense so I figured the 8BA dipstick was correct for that pan. I don't know if 8RT dipsticks are stamped 8RT. I do know that my 1950 Merc oil pan dipstick is marked with a "M".

Hope someone else with an 8RT pan and dipstick can chime in. I wonder what the measurements are for the 8BA dipstick with the sump in the middle of the stock pan.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

4/11/24 Yes, I was surprised that the dip stick was stamped 8BA BUT, when I inserted it in the pan and filled it with 6 qts of water, the readings seem to make sense so I figured the 8BA dipstick was correct for that pan. I don't know if 8RT dipsticks are stamped 8RT. I do know that my 1950 Merc oil pan dipstick is marked with a "M".

Hope someone else with an 8RT pan and dipstick can chime in. I wonder what the measurements are for the 8BA dipstick with the sump in the middle of the stock pan.

I have a bunch of dip sticks and the 8RT's are stamped 8RT just like an 8BA

[Heard]

I have an 8RT dipstick which is considerably different than the 8BA which is why I asked the question. Here is the overall difference and a close up.

I ended up putting a total of 5 qts in there. This brought the level to exactly the 12 1/2" measurement that 69A posted. I don't know why the dipstick is wrong but from other threads I've read, it seems like that is not so uncommon.

BTW, the 12 1/2" mark is almost exactly aligned with the last 'L' in FULL on the dipstick (8BA) on the left. At least for THIS dipstick.

Anyway, I followed what I think is great advice here as usual. Decided to turn it over to check oil pressure. I was able to get 25 psi which I think is good. If not, please yell at me!

Thanks guys!

Heard

[Bored&Stroked]

Tim, I heard of you being called a "Dipstick" - now I know why!

Just kidding yah!

B&S

[69a]

The most important thing we need to know is the actual level of the oil when "FULL". Too many tube and stick variations.
I got an 8RT pan and put 5 quarts of oil in it. This measured 5" from the top. And 4 7/8" from the top of the dipstick casting on the pan. (45 degree angle and tube removed). The only other possible variation can be the height of the fitting on the pan. Mine measure roughly 2 1/8" from the underside of the pan rail to the top rivet.
If the top rivet on your dipstick casting is approx. 2 1/8" from the pan rail. Measure the the length of the tube extended from the casting (screwed in) add 4 7/8" to that. This will be your "FULL " mark.
A good idea is to put a smaller mark 5/8" below the FULL level, this equates to one quart low.

[1952henry]

As an aside, not all sticks were marked as 8RT. I have two identical, one is marked 8RT, one is not.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

Tim, I heard of you being called a "Dipstick" - now I know why!

Just kidding yah!

B&S

Haha. Better than a Dipsh*t I guess. LOL!