383 stroker oil pan question

[1ton454]

I am installing a 383 stroker in a 71 vega and am told only one oil pan (milodon) will work only if u use stock rods. My rods are aftermarket with a longer stroke. Can anyone help me here ? anyone else had this problem ? need help

[Smiley]

Do you mean a longer center to center measurement on the rod
or a longer stroke than the 400 crank ?

anyway here is a thread in it : http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26528&start=0

[dadhad1]

Hi 1ton454,

I have a 383 stroker in mine (obviously with the 400 crank).
I didn't use the Milodon pan because I have a later 1 pc rear main block and they weren't available.
However, I ended up modifying a std pan and worked out well and I had oil pan clearance with the added stoke.
I even kept the windage tray in. The windage tray had to be cut with the mod, but was tack welded back down to keep it in place.

I pretty much followed the pan mod dimensions published in the H-Body thread, but I would do it a little different if I had to do it again.
I would make a radius or chamfer cut front to back on the lower/side edge corner areas (like the Milodon pan has).
As a result of me NOT doing that, my turning radius is now a bit limited. Not too bad, but I don't have full turn due to steering link to pan side interference.
I didn't drop my steering link because I didn't want to mess with factory steering geometries. I have about 1/4"-3/8" clearance from the bottom of my pan to top of steering link now and I'm using Monza V8 motor mount plates with Bob Gumm mounts.
So, if you go that route and have a similar set up to mine, I'd make a provision for steering link clearance...

Hope that made sense and helps!

Mike

[speedphreake]

I have a 383 with aftermarket crank and rods and clears the H body moroso pan.