How nat of you are using engine/motor pans?

[jeepguy1948]

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.

[alexiskai]

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.

[JayJay]

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

[mcgarrett]

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.

[alexiskai]

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:

It is doubtful if in the period when A’s were extensively used that any brisk business was ever done in replacement shields. Rather, the shields were removed and thrown away as being nothing but a nuisance. It is true that the shields were troublesome because first they cracked at the engine attaching side. This produced squeaks and rattles. Because of this, these parts generally became discards at the time of first oil pan removal if not before.

Original pans are now in demand and are generally scarce which attests to the widespread scrapping of them years ago. The demand, of course, is not because of the functional value but is created by those who wish to have their engine installations complete and authentic as to detail. This is a worthy object and one with which none would take exception. There is some belief though that other advantages do accrue to those who decide to install the splash pans. We can’t believe that Ford would have persisted in their installation had they not been of some good use.

We cannot vouch for it, but there is the statement made that the use of these pans or shields results in an increase of cooling airflow through the radiator core. If this is true then it can be seen that however slight this cooling increase might be it could be just enough to keep out of trouble if a cooling system was of marginal performance in other respects. Most people agree-that the installation of the pans improve the appearance of the engine compartment. The pans provide a solid-looking closure rather than having the large vacant gap with the straight through view of the ground below.

So much for the possible pros and cons not forgetting, of course, the benefits of the right-hand splash shield when removing the valve chamber cover. Oil from the valve chamber drains neatly down the sloping trough-like shield into a bucket placed at the back just under the half circle cut out for the exhaust pipe. The left side engine pan also serves as a useful trough when draining water. At the back end of the pan there is much more room for a bucket than there is directly under the drain cock where the front axle wish bone is in the way.

[GPierce]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Don’t use them. No cooling issues.

[ChicagoBob]

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

[Synchro909]

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

[ndnchf]

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.

[Conaway2]

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

[WHN]

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.

[Gene F]

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

[Jim M]

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

[Keith True]

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?

[Tacoma Bob]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

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.

x-2

[duke36]

They can add elec. grounding from frame to block

[Bill G]

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.

[Kurt in NJ]

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,

[w.michael]

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

W. Michael

[Y-Blockhead]

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.