Just Built A 350 Chevy Motor Need Oil Level

David senula

New Member
hey all, just built this 350 chevy motor. used the oil pan that came with it and do not know how much oil it holds. how far down from the pan rail is the oil level supposed to be. if someone has an engine with the dipstick and tube still in it that they know gave them the correct oil level then they could measure from the oil pan rail to the full mark. thanx for any help
 
hey all, just built this 350 chevy motor. used the oil pan that came with it and do not know how much oil it holds. how far down from the pan rail is the oil level supposed to be. if someone has an engine with the dipstick and tube still in it that they know gave them the correct oil level then they could measure from the oil pan rail to the full mark. thanx for any help
There are too many variables out there with different parts.
Only can give accurate if you have a C4 Corvette all stock.
It's best to add 4 quarts to the stock empty oil pan then check the dipstick.
Or 5 quarts engine ran then shutoff. Filled the new oil filter.
A fresh stock SBC oil pan engine probably holds 6 quarts total after filling all the main oil galleries up with oil.
 
Some early Corvettes SBC had 5-quart oil pans .
Aftermarket oil pans can be 4 quarts to 11 quarts capacity in the pan.
 
I remember at SEMA 2014 they had a cutaway view of a 1975 Chevy 350. I remember because I had a similar question back then. On a stock motor 350 4 qts is at the shallow part and sump belly of the pan. Full oil level is right about the point where the stock dipstick is exposed at the bottom of the DS tube.
 
In other words - 4 qts fills the sump basin. I had a problem years ago with my 69 GMC pickup with a V6. I swapped out for a ‘70 350/350 and I had to flip the oil pan around as it wouldn’t fit with the crossmember on the truck. Then the dip stick hit the pan before I could bolt it down.
 
since you don't have info on the pan, throw 5 quarts in it , start the engine and let it fill the filter and oil passages,
and see where the dipstick reads as a first step, any sbc will run with 5 quarts in a stock pan,
once the pump fills the filter you'll have between 4-4.5 quarts in the oil pan.
if the dip stick won't read and the engines not smoking excessively, you can add another quart
most stock pans hold 4.5-5 quarts
your oil pan oil level should be close to the windage screen level or lower crank counter weight level
READ THE LINKS AND SUB LINKS
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?thr...

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/oil-system-mods-that-help.2187/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/whats-a-windage-tray-do.64/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ilter-you-sellect-does-make-a-differance.117/
 
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The pics above are just reference diagrams. But, I have done the pour 4 quarts in the pan thing in the past (where are those pics?) and what I got is actually represented above.

Edit: here they are. (this is the everyday 4 quart plus filter SB Chevy oil pan)
In the pic below
Full = FULL mark on dipstick
4 = 4 quarts poured in pan
WT = bottom of windage tray
Main Cap = the level of the bottom (arch) on the main bearing cap

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