How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Interested to know who is or isn’t using the motor pans. It seems to me that most people feel they are more of a hassle than they are worth.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

The benefits of engine pans are well-understood, but the mounting points have a tendency to break over time due to rotational flexing of the engine. Those who have put in the effort to modify the pans with pads or other solutions to add resilience to flexing tend to report good results. Some owners who use float-a-motor mounts report that the motion of their engine is beyond what the pans can handle, but other FAM owners claim it works for them.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I use them. Clean them up real good, drive a few miles, and they can help you find where the leaks are coming from. On my car with FAM I haven't noticed any issue with the pans.

JayJay

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

They can be a hassle to deal with sometimes, but I'm using them. Mine have been powder coated and I think they sort of beautify the engine compartment if kept clean.

More specifically, if Henry Ford and his engineers went to all the trouble to design them, make and install them, there must be a real good reason. We all know Henry's reputation for cutting costs anywhere he could get away with it. I've read where they were put there to help engine cooling by controlling the air flow going through the radiator and forcing it to exit the engine compartment through the hood louvres. Not certain whether that story has any fact to it or not.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

The cooling aspect of the engine pans has long been suspected and generally accepted, though not to my knowledge proven. A more well-established benefit of them is that they keep road gunk out of the engine bay and specifically out of the carb intake.

Quote from Restorer, Mar. 1966:

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Don’t use them. No cooling issues.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I use them because of their help with water draining and valve cover and carb drips.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I had an original set - not sure where they are now. They were too much of a PITA.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I put them on and have no issues. The engine stays cleaner and the engine bay looks more finished. I tapped the frame holes so the bolts can be more easily installed. It makes removal and replacement a breeze.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I use them on 2 cars.

I remember reading something a couple of years ago from someone who actually tested them and found the engine compartment temp stayed 10-15 degrees F cooler with the pans.

I certainly notice a healthy airflow from the hood louvers at idle with the pans installed.

Henry didn’t spend money to put insulation in Model A’s, but he did install the pans….he always had a reason for what he did and didn’t spend money unnecessarily.

Jim

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I have always used them.

Just sold a car that we owned for over 40 years. I installed engine pans on the car in the early 80’s. Never a problem.

Better cooling, engine compartment stays cleaner, looks better.

Just think about this for a minute. With the pans, there should be less turbulence behind the radiator. I really think that is the main reason they are there.

Enjoy.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I use them. They only occasionally are inconvenient. I just think they create suction for the cooling going down the road.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

do NOT use them. I want as original as possible.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Jim,I don't understand.You want as original as possible,but not use the original engine pans?Did you leave something out of your post?

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

x-2

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

They can add elec. grounding from frame to block

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

When I bought the car the pans were long gone. I am not in any hurry to get them. I am not having any cooling issues, even with summer temps over 100.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

i like having them, no hassle, only removed them once in 50 years, makes it easy to drain any leaks, fluid changes, catches tools you drop,

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I keep or add engine pans to all cars as I refurbish them.

W. Michael

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I think the engine pans make the engine bay look more complete. The only issue I have had is the ears where they use the oil pan bolts tend to crack from vibrations. I installed some trimmed fender washers to spread out the clamping force. I have not had a problem since.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1674612801

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I apologize for my mispelling of the title, it should ready “How many of you” I don’t know I missed that

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I can see how the mounting points would crack so I wonder about mounting them on rubber like they use on the number plates, indicators etc on motor cycles.
It's easy to make a double ended bolt for holding the sump and to attach the pans. That covers that side of them. Weld a nut on the inside of the chassis (or tap the hole) where they attach there. Put a rubber sleeve above and below the pan all held in place by a nut and washer. I'd use a Nylock nut, I think. That should leave them mounted softly enough that they won't crack.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

My ‘28 RPU does not have them they were long gone when I got it.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I've used double ended oil pan bolts from old Chevy V-8's.Half is to hold the oil pan,and the other half was to hold battery cable brackets.I would take them from off engines in the scrap motor pile at the junkyard.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

They are on mine

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I think the engine bay looks naked without them. I like them on V8 Fords as well. Completes the look of the engine bay. I find that they are not a hassle. Who is taking them on and off so often?

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I used to have issues with overheating. When I put the pans on I had problems with running too cold: thus, I now have a thermostat that keeps her at a nice 160 f.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Methinks 160° is a bit low, I prefer 180°.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

X2 on post 20.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Synchro, I’d buy yours but well, the shipping might be a deal breaker LoL.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Shipping would make them too expensive but that's a problem we face all of the time.
Pity we can't drive there ourselves to pickup stuff. In fact, we can't drive to any other country.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I use them in my car. I prefer the look and have had no issue with them.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Same here, tapping the frame is a "no brainer!"

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

On the V8 models Ford used a cad plated self tapping screw. Pretty easy to install.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Did Ford use pans throughout A production? I think I heard they were discontinued, then added back. True or malarkey?

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

early in 1928, Ford discontinued the fan shroud.
if engine pans had no useful function, they would have been discontinued also.
anything to reduce production cost.

the car looks better with them installed.
when I see a Model A for sale without engine pans I assume the seller does not really know what they are doing, makes the entire car just slightly suspect.

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

I've never seen them on an Australian built car, I'd never even heard of them until I joined a few American based Facebook groups/forums, doesn't mean they never had on rhd model a's, I'm just saying I've never seen them

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

Are they a pain? Yes. Do I use them? Absolutely!
The Model A was a well designed package, when you start changing things you upset what was laid out to be a harmonious design. The pans are a part of cooling, electrical grounding, and dirt being sucked into the carb. and more. :)

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

One solution to the problem of fracturing fan blades is the use of plastic fans. I wonder if sturdy and squeak-free engine pans could be formed from 1/8 inch black polyethylene plastic?

Re: How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?
 

just ordered my 2 Black powder coated ones from Snyders, should be here tomorrow, but lots of luck me puttin' them in anytime soon. the Snow has to go away first and get a tad bit warmer.