VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Oil Pan Tools

Are the alignment tools for the oil pan troughs, dippers & squirters one size fits all? I have the opportunity to buy a set marked for '37 engines. Will they work on all of the old dipper engines?

The '37 will be fine as is for the 1937-1939 egines and doable for the later 216 engines. Will not be correct for 235 engines.

Hmmm...this has me wondering...

My dipper/squirter target jig is not labeled anywhere so I assume it was aftermarket rather than the Kent Moore. It has been used on a couple 37-39 engines and seemed to align ok according the guys who borrowed it.

If this was incorrect for the 37-39 engine I take it would be obviously incorrect?

Hi Tim,

I would not get overly anxious about the possible differences in the oil target gauge.

You might not remember that a few years ago you helped me with the tools needed to position and align the oil nozzles in my '37 Master Coupe. The original set had been damaged when my wife's uncle tried to lift the car by placing a floor jack under the front of the oil pan. I can only assume it was due to his failing eyesight and not being able to kneel down low enough to see things clearly.

I was able to straighten the pan and dipper troughs and install a good set to pipes and nozzles. I also replaced the dippers on rods # 1 & 2.

You sent me an outline of the oil nozzle depth gauge traced on a piece of I think cereal box cardboard. I cut that out and used it to make sure the nozzles were low enough that the dippers would clear them. I then made an oil trough depth gauge based on the dimensions in a post in this forum. I used it to set the trough heights in the pan as well as confirm that the dipper height was correctly.

I did not have the oil target gauge so I improvised based on 2 key assumptions.
1) The oil dippers travel a path along the middle line of the trough.
2) The oil dippers follow a path just above the profile of the oil nozzle depth gauge.

Using a Sharpie and a square I marked the center line of each trough along the inside of the oil pan on the side that the nozzles spray. I extended that line to the flange of the pan. I then formed a piece of coat hanger wire that fits just inside the bottom contour of the oil nozzle depth gauge.

I set this wire form on the flange of the pan in line with the mark for the centerline of each trough and across the pan. I simply made sure that the steam of water from each nozzle was hitting that wire. This confirmed to me that the oil would hit the open dipper as it traveled towards the nozzle.

Everything is running smoothly so I feel confident that this process worked.

I have some pictures and a short video that show the process if you are interested.

Thanks Rusty for the great advice on setting the oil nozzles on your oil pan, I have just a few things to add to the discussion. First is an old post on the topic 216 Oil Pan Gauge Settings and then is a set of gauges I have which I wonder what years they are for.




You can see the model number is J 969-A1

Thanks, Mike

I am willing to lend my gauges to someone dependable enough to return them within 4 weeks. You pay the postage plus $75.

Thanks, Mike

P.S. Found some more interesting info. Looks like my set might be good for 1937-48. Vintage auto tools for rent

Chevrolet tools for engine oiling

J-969 is an oil target gauge for 1937-1942 Chevrolets, according yo my Kent-Moore manual.