1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Question about oil pan capacity. Wondering what the actual Ford required oil capacity is for the 59A oil pan is it four or five quarts? Have dip sticks with various full marks. Once I know the actual Ford capacity I can check the dip sticks to find the correct ones.
Ronniroadster

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Here's the answer.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ford...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

The engineering drawings clearly depict five US quarts. It does NOT matter whether or not there is / was a filter.
I still don't understand why this four quart "theory" is still out there.
That google link posted in a previous response is full of inaccurate information.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

I still don't understand why this four quart "theory" is still out there.


With respect Mike, possibly because 4 imperial quarts equates to five of your yankee quarts...Here in New Zealand, I fill my flatheads with 4 [imperial] quarts....

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Up until the Japanese invasion in the 70's, I think every car on the road took 5 US quarts.

I worked at a gas station in my teens, we put 5 quarts in without looking.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

When i put 5 in the early motor with no rear main seal it winds up on the ground very quickly at each time I turn of the motor. With only 4 in there the puddle is significantly smaller at each engine shutdown. A previous owner scratched in a line on the dip stick at 4 and I at first ignored it and put in 5. Well very quickly it was down to that mark. Losses from there are much slower. Next change i will put in only 4 and keep the giant puddles at bay and save the extra to top back up to 4 when needed. The factory DANGER mark is 3 quarts on my dipstick.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Thanks Kube for the correct info.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Thanks for the information everyone since I'm in the United States 5 quarts ;) will be the capacity I work from.
Ronnieroadster

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

5 quarts is what I've been using as well. It is a little maddening that you need to use the corresponding dip stick for the pan. It seems that '49-'53 dip sticks are marked with an engine series and the earlier ones are not.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Not quite. The 1949 - 1951 Mercury engines held 6 quarts. Lincolns of the same years held 6 1/2 quarts. Just a couple of examples, I'm sure there are more.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Incorrect dipstick and / or sludge in the pan will cause those issues.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

Ha! A great reason back then to tell the jockey "no thanks, I'll take care of it myself".

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

I think somewhere I read when Henry first come out with the v8, they held 4 quarts, they apparently had a oil consumption problem initially so he added a extra quart to help buy some time I suppose. Maybe that original 4 quart capacity just stuck in peoples head? I heard that over the years many times and I have also heard about the oil leaks getting worse with 5 as mentioned above, but I know on mine, I run 5 quarts just because I can I guess. It makes me feel better on long runs since mine is a driver.

Re: 1946 to 1948 59A oil pan capacity
 

my 59 AB when I put 4 qts stick reads full. another qt reads over full mark. (no filter) I go around the block now it reads full. engine has only 10,000 miles . no sluge it was thermo baked came back pure cast as new. I also have couple F6's 5 qts my F8 337 0 qts.

so I say 5 quarts from 59A to 8ba's.