Oil level with main bearing main bearing girdle

[jabird]

The block is a stroked 440, and I'm running a Milodon 7 quart, plus filter, "30930" pan with a 1/4" thick main bearing girdle. I'm trying to figure out how to determine where the perfect oil level is and mark it on the dip stick. The motor is 100% apart and on the stand. I'm sure there a correct way to do this but I'm not 100% sure how. The pan is a 1/4" lower on the block now and I have been advised to wing it and add a quart more, that person was told to hush. Any advise would be great, thank you

 

[Beekeeper]

Jabird,
I would fill it up with seven quarts add a new filter and the first time you fire it up check the stick and mark it then.

 

[Cranky]

That's what I'd do too. Then watch your gauge on a quick start to make sure there's no slosh starvation. Next, make a full pass and pay attention to the gauge again. I doubt you will have any problems though....

 

[miller]

Might suggest, since motor is apart, do a guide mark (like a dot) on the stick. Just to get a mark to go by, to be sure the oil level is below the stroked crank.

 

[Cranky]

Is the pan still off the engine? If so, you can put 7 quarts of water in it and see where the level is and measure from there to the gasket split line. Just dry it out good before installing it....

 

[Yatzee]

The block is a stroked 440, and I'm running a Milodon 7 quart, plus filter, "30930" pan with a 1/4" thick main bearing girdle. I'm trying to figure out how to determine where the perfect oil level is and mark it on the dip stick. The motor is 100% apart and on the stand. I'm sure there a correct way to do this but I'm not 100% sure how. The pan is a 1/4" lower on the block now and I have been advised to wing it and add a quart more, that person was told to hush. Any advise would be great, thank you

In order to do this correctly, you would want the marks on the dipstick to indicate as original. That level was proper for a fill below the windage tray and crank bosses. You should actually be able to add more than Miloden says because now you've lowered the pan another 1/4 inch with the girdle. You really should have taken measurements before installing the pan permanently but all is not loss. If the pickup is the correct distance off the bottom of the pan you'll never run out of oil with that much oil. I use the same pan but only six quarts in my 512 stroker and it never runs out of oil. Mind you the heads I have allow more drain back than stock and I don't use a windage tray. What I did do was fill the engine and filter, run it for five minutes to stabilize oil flow and fill then shorten the dipstick tube to reflect that fill on the dipstick itself. Do not in any way modify the dipstick itself. Been that way for two years. Drain and fill is exactly the same every time. Be aware that the amount the oil rises in the pan is not the same as original for a given amount added due to the cross sectional dimensions of the well of the pan. If I want to go the full seven quarts I'll make a reference mark on the dipstick at that time. Of course this mark will obviously be slightly above the original's.