Front sump pan,440

Hello guys...I think first post. I posted on sweptline.org, but because a 440 thought I would try here. You folks have forgot more than this 77 yr. old guy ever knew. Oil pan capacity/dipstick is the big questions. New to me, 68 Dodge D100 short box stepside, with 440 now. Seller told me lots of untruths, but this I know; the 440 is block casting no. 3698830, then date 3-3-73 (or 78?). The pad number is tough, but I believe definite "J", which indicates 1973.

Photos attached. Pan is black, front sump, bottom drain (7/8 hex socket). Seems heavy gauge. Dipstick tube looks like it was born with engine, goes into block above pan, but does not look like most 440 tubes photos seen. It has I would call it a "double curve" in it. Dipstick itself I think is not original, has add, full marks, but a higher mark made with file. Whatever, it was low on oil, with dipstick showing full...I drained out 3.5 qts. I read from info 6,7,8,or 9 qt capacity with that pan

1) What is the capacity of my pan, with or without filter, (6 to 9 qts is quite a range!) 2) What do I buy for 440 dipstick, correct for this front sump bottom drain pan?

Thanks in advance, many more questions down the road, after I get the oil changed properly!

Regardless the capacity or style of oil pan, the dipstick measures how close one can come to the rotating crankshaft, or the upper level of the oil. Presuming the dipstick tube is correct for the 440, any 440 dipstick should function in this capacity.

The casting number of the 1973-78 400ci is 3698630
The casting number of the 1973-78 "mobile home" 440 is 3698330

Go look at those casting numbers again, to confirm which is which.

The oil pan *looks like* the truck/motorhome 6-quart pan with the drain plug on the bottom. This 440source.com website has a pretty good break-down of 440 oil pans.

If I'm correct about the oil pan, that puts the capacity at around 7-quarts with a filter change.

Great info.... photo is attached, and I suppose there might be some casting slag on that "3" that makes it look like an "8". (ie the second 8 could very well be a "3", making it 3698330. Followed by 440-7, which I suppose could, with slag, be 440-1. So, your motorhome 6+1 likely answer is a very helpful.

the 440source I had gone to earlier, and yes they have excellent photo of this pan; I missed the part where they also said 6+1.
So the 3.5 + 1qt drained out was way low, but how long it ran that way I don't know.

What about my dipstick tube photo, shot from above...doesn't that double curve tube seem to be different than all others? The 440source says any car dipstick will work, but I was skeptical with the odd tube.

I suggest a fresh filter and 7 quarts of oil and see where it registers on the dip stick. I think you'll be fine at that. JMTC

I'll do it.

Daybreak said:

making it 3698330. Followed by 440-7, which I suppose could, with slag, be 440-1.

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The 440-7 looks strongly like 440 to me, and not 400, another indicator you've got a 1973 440. The -7 refers to the 7th version of the 440 casting, which makes sense for a "later model" 440.

It's hard to say WHY the dipstick tube has a 2nd bend to it, but it's most likely man made. The 1970 part book suggests the same tube was used in both 383 and 440 HP blocks. The same goes for the dipped stick.

I like @ruffcut 's suggestion: change the oil+filter, fill it with 7 quarts, run it, let it sit overnight, then review where the oil falls on the dipstick indicator. If it's wildly off, seek a replacement.

Did the oil light come on or the gauge read zero ? Is that how you discovered you were low on oil? If the suction tube is on the bottom of the pan, you should still have oil pressure with 3.5 quarts. A lot of 440s only had 4 quart pans.

R/T Boy 67 said:

Did the oil light come on or the gauge read zero ? Is that how you discovered you were low on oil? If the suction tube is on the bottom of the pan, you should still have oil pressure with 3.5 quarts. A lot of 440s only had 4 quart pans.

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To R/T Boy 67 first, (then 2nd reply to pan capacity), no problems indicated, I just did not trust the guy saying "just changed, 50 miles ago, synthetic 10/30. I also wanted "old conventional" oil in it. Only problem was very low oil pressure at hot engine, at idle; 10-15 lbs. I think I solved that problem just now, I put in 20/50 Valvoline conventional racing oil. Hot idle now 25#. A lot of bearing wear perhaps.

Rishi and ruffcut: put in only 6 qts. 20/50 Valvoline racing, conventional. Ran a minute & no leaks. Shut down for 1 hr. and pulled stick. About 1 1/2 + inches over full. Also about 3/4 inch above the higher mark someone filed into the stick. So I still need 1 more qt., and I am convinced someone shoved any old dipstick in. (probably out of a Chevy, as this is the only non-Chevy he had owned, and it had Blazer bucket seats in it!! My first bad omen on this pickup) I will get a new dipstick to compare, and hope I can add an extra qt. and be right on full. Unless the same yahoo also butchered a chevy dipstick tube and installed that! Seems they are usually priced as a set anyway, and it won't break me up if tube not needed.

Thanks guys.

OK! Good. Let us know what you find. As mentioned, you have enough oil at this point. I like the 20W50 oil in warm weather. In fact I use 15W40 in my snow plowing truck all year round. It has a somewhat worn 413 and holds 70 PSI when cold.

Daybreak said:

To R/T Boy 67 first, (then 2nd reply to pan capacity), no problems indicated, I just did not trust the guy saying "just changed, 50 miles ago, synthetic 10/30. I also wanted "old conventional" oil in it. Only problem was very low oil pressure at hot engine, at idle; 10-15 lbs. I think I solved that problem just now, I put in 20/50 Valvoline conventional racing oil. Hot idle now 25#. A lot of bearing wear perhaps.

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Low oil pressure on a hot engine at idle is a pretty common indicator of wear, but nothing to be concerned about, unless you're expecting a freshly rebuilt engine. By 2000 RPM, I want to see it up there in the >60# area, but we can only work with what we have. I've got 440 HP that only hits 80# pressure at 2500 RPM, and it burns some oil. It doesn't appear it was ever rebuilt, and I still enjoy driving it. It needs valve guides, too, because when I let off on the gas coasting down from highway speeds, it smokes some to be seen out the rear view mirror.