Determining correct oil level

[Beck]

Hey,
I've got a milodon road race oil pan (#31580) on my 440, with a milodon dipstick.
I'm trying to work out the correct oil level to fill the motor to.

I transferred the dipstick marking from the dipstick that came with the motor (a cheap proform one) to the new milodon one.
I had to trim a bit off the bottom as the dipstick was hitting the pan.

I filled the motor to that level but it only took 6 quarts, not the 7 that the oil pan is stated as holding.

Can anyone inform me as to exactly how much oil to add? Add 7 and re-mark the dipstick?
Trust the level mark I transfered from the old non-stock dipstick?

Cheers!

[ChallengerHK]

Listen to others before me, but my first thought is that the filter will take a quart, so it will read hgher until the motor is fired up.

[Beck]

I filled the filter as much as I could before installing it.
I see on the Milodon website that they recommend filling the oil pan the specified amount (7 quarts for my pan) and marking the dipstick based on that level.
I guess that's what I'll do.

Can anyone with the same oil pan confirm this stuff?

 

[Chryco Psycho]

marking it at 7 qts makes sense .
The top level on the dipstick should not change , it should be 1/2" or so below the windage tray , as long as the dipstick is accurate it makes no difference what pan is on it , it is the top level which never changes

[Beck]

That's the point, I don't have a factory dipstick level to compare to.
Just the procomp one, and that reads full when I've only put 6 quarts in, not the full 7 that milodon says the pan takes.
So I should forget about the mark I have (transferred from the procomp dipstick), and remark it with 7 quarts in the pan?
Is there a danger of overfilling?

Hopefully someone with this pan can chime in and let me know how the 7 quarts in the pan line up with the factory dipstick markings.

[Chryco Psycho]

If the tube is a different length the dipstick will be inaccurate , you need a matched pair tube & dipstick to be accurate , the best way to check the level is with the pan off & make sure the oil level is just below the windage tray but I am sure you have the pan on already .
 The other question is the difference between the imperial QT & the smaller US qt , which are you using ?

[67vertman]

the best way to check the level is with the pan off & make sure the oil level is just below the windage tray but I am sure you have the pan on already .

My engine builder told me this is how he determines the amount of oil needed in any oil pan. He levels the pan (off the car) measures how far down the windage tray or crankshaft extended into the pan then marks a line at that point. He then pours one quart of oil in at a time until he is at the line.
My Hemi, 6 qt pan only took 5 qts.