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  •  » Oil capacity question

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    9/05/2026 3:11 PM  #1

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 8,057

    Oil capacity question

    I can't seem to get a good answer to this.  I put a reproduction BOSS 302 oil pan on my 289 recently and I'm trying to figure out how much oil I should run in it.  It lists as a 7 quart capacity pan.  That said, when I've run larger capacity aftermarket pans on other combinations it has been standard procedure not to fill the pan all the way to capacity, because part of the benefit of the larger capacity pan is keeping the oil low in the sump to prevent windage/oil roping, which robs power.  Any suggestions?  

     

    9/06/2026 8:02 AM  #2

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 3,061

    Re: Oil capacity question

    I suggest putting in 5 quarts of oil, run the engine so oil is sent to the oil filter and see where the level is on the dipstick.  If necessary, add another quart, and run the engine again, check the dipstick, etc. 

    If you have the original pan for the 289, measure the depth and compare to the 7-quart pan.

    Back in the day, to make a deep oil pan, we’d take two oil pans, cut one close to the bottom of the sump, and the other a few inches higher, weld this extension to the other pan, fill with some oil, run the engine and repeat until the dipstick read at the full mark
    Also, I remembering that the Boss 302 engine came with a windage tray bolted to the main caps.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    9/06/2026 12:28 PM  #3

    John Ha
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    From: Mitchell, SD
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 1,085

    Re: Oil capacity question

    BobE wrote:

    I suggest putting in 5 quarts of oil, run the engine so oil is sent to the oil filter and see where the level is on the dipstick.  .

    Before you run the engine after adding the 6 quarts, I'd suggest marking the level on the dipstick.  Then you'll have a reference telling you the actual oil level in the pan, since the original dipstick may not give you that information with the aftermarket pan.  You can do the same after filling with 7 quarts.

    Founding Member of the Perpetually Bewildered Society
     

    9/06/2026 1:00 PM  #4

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,596

    Re: Oil capacity question

    Does this pan have a baffle?

    Is the pan sheetmetal or cast aluminum?

    If aluminum, I would apply gylptal on inside of pan before oil ever touches it due to possible porosity issues.

    How much liquid can the sump area hold?

     

    9/06/2026 2:08 PM  #5

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,778

    Re: Oil capacity question

    Boss 302 in 69 and 70 had a windage tray which allowed a higher oil level.  I would fill to same level as your original dipstick and leave it at that.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    9/06/2026 5:44 PM  #6

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 8,057

    Re: Oil capacity question

    Nos681 wrote:

    Does this pan have a baffle?

    Is the pan sheetmetal or cast aluminum?

    If aluminum, I would apply gylptal on inside of pan before oil ever touches it due to possible porosity issues.

    How much liquid can the sump area hold?

    Its sheet metal and it has a baffle around the oil pump pickup.  Its billed as a 7 quart pan.  
     

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