Milodon Oil Pan Resting on K Member With Pictures

[daveh]

Hey guys,

I have a dilemma.  I'm putting the engine and transmission together on the jig that I welded together.  When I went to put the right side of the engine in the K member motor mounts it was a little hard I had to work at getting the bolt through the motor mount but I eventually did.  Well I was working on it today and realized that the corner of the oil pan was sitting or forced on the K member.  That's why I had a difficult time getting that motor mount bolt in. 

I'm using a 7 quart Milodon Oil Pan part number 30936 (see below).  The pan went on fine, fits well and has no leaks after priming the engine. You can see in the pics it resting on the K-member.  My motor mounts are new as well. 

My thought was to take the engine off of the K-member and dimple that corner to make it fit.  But then one part of me says hey it shouldn't be hitting because it's the correct oil pan for this application.  Any suggestions?

What do you guys think? Thanks


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mil-30936/overview/make/dodge

[1 Wild R/T]

Not the first time I've seen that... Are you sure the transmission isn't hanging lower than normal?  If it's at the proper height then you can try to dimple the pan but thats a very strong area.... I've seen guys notch the K member... I've also seen a couple guys pull the pan, diagonally slice the corcnerroff & weld a triangle patch on he pan...  Next double check your steering linkage at full lock.....

[daveh]

I tried moving the trans up and down with no success. I thought about notching the K Member but it's been powder coated and I didn't feel like welding it and chewing up the coating.  Plus I wasn't sure if the integrity of the K Member would hold up.  I was hoping someone would notice something call me dumb A** and I would be good.   Actually I'm still hoping for that.  The pan is full and just didn't want to mess up the finish on the pan either.  Either way something gets messed up.  That was the whole reason for removing the engine so I could do it the right way and now I still may be laying on the floor to remove the pan and fix it.  This kind of sucks.  I hope someone else has a different idea.  Thanks

[brads70]

Make 1/8" shims between the motor mounts?

[HP2]

Make 1/8" shims between the motor mounts?

Ditto. Or loosen the mounts and brackets and shift/twist the engine over. Mounts, brackets, and ears have some slop in them.

[daveh]

I will try loosening them up and see what happens.  The issue with a shim is that it's a shaker car although not original I just want the intake to fit and not be too tall.

I'm just not certain that's going to give me that much clearance.  The oil plan is sitting in the K Member about an inch on that corner. 

I just feel like I've missed something here.   Thanks

[daveh]

One more thing.  Does anyone have a picture of how I would shim up the motor mount. Or an explanation?  The way they are constructed doesn't lend themselves to a shim?  Thanks again

[HP2]

Well, it was never designed with that much oil pan in mind so when you start going this far from stock, you run into these things. I would have some concern about engine rocking wearing a hole in the pan.

You can dis-assemble the mount and put a washer on the stud in the isolator to engine bracket or weld a washer on the k frame tower that restricts the through bolt from dropping lower in the hole.

[dfrazz]

One more thing.  Does anyone have a picture of how I would shim up the motor mount. Or an explanation?  The way they are constructed doesn't lend themselves to a shim?  Thanks again

Just put a washer between the motor mount and k-member then tighten it down.

[cudabob496]

smack the K member with a blunt object

[crash340]

Common problem with these pans, most simply notch the K member, if it were mine I'd drop the pan off and clearance cut the corner of the pan to suit,  have a professional welder TIG the new piece in to prevent leaks and good to go, yes adding washers, plates and other items might get you there but as mounts soften and sag, engine rocks etc it's always on your mind, clearance it via the pan and be done with it.

[daveh]

UPDATE:

After messing with the various adjustment bolts that I built into the jig I was able move the oil pan away from the K-member about 3/4".  I think once the K-Member is in an bolted flat to the frame that everything will settle into place.  It's just that nothing is exactly level or square and once it's in it will level all out.  I'll keep you guys posted it won't be for a few weeks so thanks for the help and have a great holiday. 

Dave