View Poll Results: Which do you prefer
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll
Which would you want on your car?
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,451
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From: San Diego, CA
Owning both a 1998 LeSabre with Exhibit A and a 2004 LeSabre with Exhibit B, I can attest to this:
The steel pan'* drain bolt is mounted a wee bit up the side of the pan, whereas the aluminum pan'* drain bolt is right at the bottom edge (where it SHOULD be).
This allows the 2004 to drain off a good bit more of it'* used oil at an oil change, (probably like another 1/2 qt)...including all of that nasty sludgy crap that likes to settle to the bottom (not that I have any nasty sludgy crap!
).
(Exhibit B does look kinda rice though, don't ya think
)
The steel pan'* drain bolt is mounted a wee bit up the side of the pan, whereas the aluminum pan'* drain bolt is right at the bottom edge (where it SHOULD be).
This allows the 2004 to drain off a good bit more of it'* used oil at an oil change, (probably like another 1/2 qt)...including all of that nasty sludgy crap that likes to settle to the bottom (not that I have any nasty sludgy crap!
).(Exhibit B does look kinda rice though, don't ya think
)
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
I would want the steel pan for its strength, but that aluminum one looks pretty cool. But then again, who the hell cares what looks good underneath the car, thats like polishing your gas tank.
But umm, I guess I missed something, what the heck screwed up your old oil pan so much? The tire you hit that time? or something else?
But umm, I guess I missed something, what the heck screwed up your old oil pan so much? The tire you hit that time? or something else?
Thread Starter
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 30
From: Enfield, CT
We seem to be at the point to answer some questions.
The reasoning behind the aluminum pan was simple, better gasket. Steel pan led me to believe it was leaking, and no matter how much I tried..I couldn't get it to seal. Once I pulled the engine..I found the rear engine cover to have loose bolts. Now those were most likely the leak and not the pan to block gasket.
Side benefits:
1. As Andy mentioned, the oil drains completely. I've harped on the L36 failure folks to remove the pan because there is about 1/3 of a quart remaining due to plug location.
2. The pan is quite strong, in 2000+ the motor mount is bolted to the pan, not near...to the front of the pan under the balancer. This makes changing the gasket difficult for them.
3. The pan contains the windage tray as part of the pan. Any S2 pre 2000 that has changed the oil pan gasket which is also the windage tray has sworn at the engineer that desiged the gasket for at least 15 minutes.
4. This pan appears shorter, I'll be measuring when I am home tonight. It tucks up behind the subframe better than the steel one. Any crank dropping, tire running over guy will tell you...tucked behind the frame is better.
5. The pan gasket is $14 for 2000+ vs $40 S2 pre 2000.
6. This oil filter adapter will not leak oil onto the subframe with each oil change.
7. This pan will torque better and more consistently on the gasket then the thinner steel pan.
8. And last... because I'm different!
The reasoning behind the aluminum pan was simple, better gasket. Steel pan led me to believe it was leaking, and no matter how much I tried..I couldn't get it to seal. Once I pulled the engine..I found the rear engine cover to have loose bolts. Now those were most likely the leak and not the pan to block gasket.
Side benefits:
1. As Andy mentioned, the oil drains completely. I've harped on the L36 failure folks to remove the pan because there is about 1/3 of a quart remaining due to plug location.
2. The pan is quite strong, in 2000+ the motor mount is bolted to the pan, not near...to the front of the pan under the balancer. This makes changing the gasket difficult for them.
3. The pan contains the windage tray as part of the pan. Any S2 pre 2000 that has changed the oil pan gasket which is also the windage tray has sworn at the engineer that desiged the gasket for at least 15 minutes.
4. This pan appears shorter, I'll be measuring when I am home tonight. It tucks up behind the subframe better than the steel one. Any crank dropping, tire running over guy will tell you...tucked behind the frame is better.
5. The pan gasket is $14 for 2000+ vs $40 S2 pre 2000.
6. This oil filter adapter will not leak oil onto the subframe with each oil change.
7. This pan will torque better and more consistently on the gasket then the thinner steel pan.
8. And last... because I'm different!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 0
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Originally Posted by lash
The steel oil pan pic he posted was Wren'*...
Originally Posted by lash
And BTW, you don't polish your gas tank????? What'* wrong with you anyway? :P :?
About that being 1/3qt left. does that stand true to the LN3 as well? because I have always wondered that.
Also...I don't understand why you can't use the alum'* gasket with the steel pan. :?:
Thread Starter
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 30
From: Enfield, CT
Believe it or not, Bill'* pan is more dented than mine when the auto body place "needed" to replace it according to the estimate.
The gasket is an inlaid and will not work on the steel pan. (Pics of gasket in beginning of my P&B thread)
Not sure on the LN3 pan. Take a look and determine if the plug is at the bottom or slightly up the side. Most likely..it'* partway up.
The gasket is an inlaid and will not work on the steel pan. (Pics of gasket in beginning of my P&B thread)
Not sure on the LN3 pan. Take a look and determine if the plug is at the bottom or slightly up the side. Most likely..it'* partway up.
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,042
Likes: 5
From: Texarkana, Texas
Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
Originally Posted by Damemorder
A, Easier to build into a dry sump.
