Engine pans - to use or not

[TinCup]

I found it interesting at the last club outing when we are looking under the hood of the member cars just how few had pans. I know it's harder to work on but their is a reason Henry used them.

[1931 flamingo]

Mike V. Florida: I think that much fuel proof gloss black dope going to cost more than the $20 for powdercoat. JMO
Paul in CT

[BillLee/Chandler, TX]

You can buy rattle cans of "fuel proof" model airplane paint at most hobby shops. Brand is LustreCoat. A spray can is far more than you'll need to spray the pans. If I recall, a can is less than $10. Paint is "butyrate" dope.

[Bill Steiner]

Use them. They where put there for good reasons. Bill

[Roadster62]

15 MILLION T's and 4 MILLION A's left the factory with engine pans, there could be a reason. How big a pile of steel and paint would that be?

[Peter J]

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Sounds like powder coat is the way to go. Might also be able to reenforce the areas at the tabs that split out prior to installation.

[bobbycoke]

I run engine pans for all the reasons above and a bonus is I have a first place to look for all dropped nuts bolts sparkplugs tools etc, if not in the pan look below it on the "downhill" side as a starting place, yeah I have uncle artie [as in arthritis] and always take multiple nuts bolts etc as I will drop 2 or 3 before I make the connection! They can't cure it so I just outsmart it!!!!!

[rollingsculpture]

if they are painted or powdercoated how can they ground?

[gweilbaker]

Usually machining edges, burrs on the hardware bite through the paint to the metal sub-straight thus making the conduction path.

GW

[31Tudor]

On a club tour a couple of years ago it was pouring rain most of the day. One of the cars quit, and after some efforts to get it going again (in the pouring rain) he had it towed to the hotel. It wound up being a bad coil, but he also did not have engine pans. I would guess the extra spray and moisture in the engine compartment did not help the situation.

[Lyn in Atlanta]

Just added them to my Tudor after a visit to Mike's. After reading all the posts it makes sense that Henry would not have spent the money if they were not important. They make the car look much more finished under the hood. They went on easy and should keep the engine compartment cleaner and dryer. I paid a little more for powder coating because I think they'll last longer and look better longer.

[Glenn C.]

Thread the three holes in the frame on each side of the engine to 5/16" NF to make installation easier. Saves having to get help from the neighbors wife to install the 1/4" bolts and nuts. Purists need to be sharp to notice.

[howie123]

Good information. I have seen the pans in the Model A catalogs but haven't seen them mentioned in any of my books or manuals. I will plan to order a pair so I have them to install in the spring. Is the engine temperature noticeably lower with them in place? Thanks. Howie