The Ford Barn

Tom in SW VA · 08-25-2010, 11:56 AM

I just changed the oil in my new-to-me 37 Ford. It only took 3 1/4 quarts and the dipstick indicated full. It is a 81A flathead, not a 21-stud engine. What should I do? The 37 original specs say 5 quarts. Has anyone had this experience??

Thanking you in advance................

ken ct · 08-25-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom in SW VA

I just changed the oil in my new-to-me 37 Ford. It only took 3 1/4 quarts and the dipstick indicated full. It is a 81A flathead, not a 21-stud engine. What should I do? The 37 original specs say 5 quarts. Has anyone had this experience??

Thanking you in advance................

Why would you go by 37 specs when your motor is a 24 stud. 37 engines are 21 stud?? 81-A is 1938. they all take same amount of oil up to 49 i believe 4 1/2 qts. Read your owners manual. ken ct.

Terry,OH · 08-25-2010, 01:49 PM

the dip stick for the 81A is 11 23/32 from the stop coller to the FULL mark. It is 16 5/8" long. The same dip stick was used from 35-48. many of the guys feel it should take 4 qts some 5 qts. if you fill it too much it will leak out the rear or front of the crank. If you have the correct dip stick and outter tube which is about 8 21/64 long. I would fill it to the full mark and watch the level, checking often, especially after the first start.

37fatfender · 08-25-2010, 01:56 PM

Simply put in the correct amount of oil, where is reads on the stick mark it with a small file or grind a notch in the stick. Who know where your existing stick came from.

billwill · 08-25-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom in SW VA

I just changed the oil in my new-to-me 37 Ford. It only took 3 1/4 quarts and the dipstick indicated full. It is a 81A flathead, not a 21-stud engine. What should I do? The 37 original specs say 5 quarts. Has anyone had this experience??

Thanking you in advance................

Four quarts five with a filter.goodkuk

rotorwrench · 08-25-2010, 03:25 PM

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I've seen them with filters and without. The filter usually drains quite a bit of oil back to the crankcase but not near all of it. Having no filter at all cuts it down by 3/4 of a quart at least.

Kerby

kraken · 08-25-2010, 07:32 PM

I had a similar question a while ago. My 50 Ford has the stock dipstick and an oil filter. If I put in 4 quarts, it is right at the full mark. Putting in 5 quarts (due to the filter) makes it read high. I just put a mark on the stick where it reads with 5 quarts in it. I don't know if there where two different dipsticks for running a filter and not running a filter, but keeping it at the mark I put on has worked OK for 13 years.

al pa. · 08-25-2010, 08:52 PM

I think mine is a truck pan,with large drain plug,and removable clutch cover.Is normal capacity for this one same as for a car pan?

08-25-2010, 11:56 AM	#1
Tom in SW VA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richlands, VA Posts: 533	Oil Capacity Question I just changed the oil in my new-to-me 37 Ford. It only took 3 1/4 quarts and the dipstick indicated full. It is a 81A flathead, not a 21-stud engine. What should I do? The 37 original specs say 5 quarts. Has anyone had this experience?? Thanking you in advance................

08-25-2010, 01:49 PM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,804	Re: Oil Capacity Question the dip stick for the 81A is 11 23/32 from the stop coller to the FULL mark. It is 16 5/8" long. The same dip stick was used from 35-48. many of the guys feel it should take 4 qts some 5 qts. if you fill it too much it will leak out the rear or front of the crank. If you have the correct dip stick and outter tube which is about 8 21/64 long. I would fill it to the full mark and watch the level, checking often, especially after the first start.

08-25-2010, 01:56 PM	#4
37fatfender Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mesquite, NV / Gurnee, IL Posts: 298	Re: Oil Capacity Question Simply put in the correct amount of oil, where is reads on the stick mark it with a small file or grind a notch in the stick. Who know where your existing stick came from.

08-25-2010, 03:25 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,564	Re: Oil Capacity Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've seen them with filters and without. The filter usually drains quite a bit of oil back to the crankcase but not near all of it. Having no filter at all cuts it down by 3/4 of a quart at least. Kerby

08-25-2010, 07:32 PM	#7
kraken Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 40	Re: Oil Capacity Question I had a similar question a while ago. My 50 Ford has the stock dipstick and an oil filter. If I put in 4 quarts, it is right at the full mark. Putting in 5 quarts (due to the filter) makes it read high. I just put a mark on the stick where it reads with 5 quarts in it. I don't know if there where two different dipsticks for running a filter and not running a filter, but keeping it at the mark I put on has worked OK for 13 years.

08-25-2010, 08:52 PM	#8
al pa. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pgh.pa. Posts: 321	Re: Oil Capacity Question I think mine is a truck pan,with large drain plug,and removable clutch cover.Is normal capacity for this one same as for a car pan?