Dipper tray lose

[rally 1]

After approximately 12k miles, 2 1/2 years since assembly, my engine started making rapping sounds, similar to valve train noise. Checking the valve adjustment,springs,et,not finding anything.
Went to start engine the other day,turned half a revolution and seized.
We pulled the engine. Upon disassembly,found the dipper tray had come loose, and was jammed between the block and crank.
Considering how the tray is attached into the pan, can’t discern how this could happen.
Your thoughts.

Thx
Ken

[J Franklin]

Did your pan hit a rock in the road? Was it really installed properly?

[Ernie Vitucci]

Good Morning...I would think that the dipper pan was NOT installed properly the last time the pan was cleaned or the engine worked on. If popped into place, as it should be, those trays are a pain the back side to remove. I've taken lots of engines apart and never found a loose dipper tray...Ernie in Arizona

[Bob Bidonde]

Ditto Ernie's comments.

[old31]

I cant imagine the noise that tray would make, and surprising it didn't happen before 12k.

No way a tray would just pop off it wasn't locked in place properly.

[rotorwrench]

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I usually hold the pan as level as I can at about four feet off the floor and then drop the pan onto the shop floor just to get the dipper tray to move. It generally takes several drops to get it out. I have a hard plastic sheet that I put down on the floor to prevent damage to the pan. If the tray pops out too easy then I look for another pan.

[katy]

FWIW, for some reason, on my CCPU, a PO welded the dipper tray in position.

[Ed in Maine]

It was mentioned that the dipper tray was hard to remove. All you have to do is lay a 2x4 across the top of the pan and then insert a C-clamp where the oil pump would go and screw the C-clamp lifting the dipper tray up and out. It is a three minute job! Ed

[rally 1]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m going to bite the bullet and assume that I didn’t have it correctly installed from day one.
I reinstalled te tray into the pan today, seems pretty tight, but I will be fastening with a couple of bolts anyway.
To answer one of the questions, the noise started about two weeks ago, and progressively got louder,until it jammed up between the center counterweight and the block.
Odd that it took this long to fail, but that’s part of A’dom.
Rest of engine is fine, no issues. I am going to light hone and install new rings while down.
K

[tinkirk]

Originally Posted by rally 1

After approximately 12k miles, 2 1/2 years since assembly, my engine started making rapping sounds, similar to valve train noise. Checking the valve adjustment,springs,et,not finding anything.
Went to start engine the other day,turned half a revolution and seized.
We pulled the engine. Upon disassembly,found the dipper tray had come loose, and was jammed between the block and crank.
Considering how the tray is attached into the pan, can’t discern how this could happen.
Your thoughts.

Thx
Ken

I didn't like the way mine fit so i just brazed mine in place
Good to go ,and now i don't need to be concerned about it!

[Joe K]

Be sure you don't have a "mix & match" oil pan/tray? In 1931 Ford changed the emboss to "lower" the pan.

Somewhere on here someone has outlined the changes. Edit: Page 576 Service Bulletins - Tray lowered by moving the bead "up" on the tray. Same pan.

If you're like me and "pretty sure" its an original pan and tray - go back to plan A and hope the pan stays in place.

Joe K

[old31]

I remove the tray just like ed does. He says 3 minutes, I say 2 minutes.

I would not weld the tray in, in case you have to clean out the bottom of the pan someday.