Windage tray yes or no

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

I realize your working with a 59A style oil pan. To help with a design for the latter 8ba block Ford actual made an oil pan that includes a complete windage tray assembly it was used on Mercury engines which of course also had the 4 inch stroke crankshafts. If you were able to look at the Mercury oil pan Ford used on the latter 8BA block you will see a perfect example of what to do. The oil pump pickup for this oil pan is an added bonus which you could use on the 59A. The pickup includes metal around the pickup screen area that helps add further windage protection. You could actually use that Mercury pick up with your oil pump and have a good start on what to design around the factory part.

For those who may feel this is a foolish idea take a moment and wonder why Ford would go to all the trouble of designing and including such a foolish idea for a stock flathead. There's actually a simple answer because it actually works. I know on my engines it works heck even the tuners who loose when racing against me know this as well.
Ronnieroadster

Well, I guess that even Ford felt it was foolish or why would they eliminate the windage tray in the '52 and '53 Mercury 4 inch stroke flathead?

[Bored&Stroked]

Who knows about what Ford did and didn't do . . . in many cases things were done to save costs. Also, at the lower RPMs that most folks ran their engines - probably didn't make a whole lot of difference.

[khschs]

A little investigating has yielded a few pictures of the 49-53 Merc pan and windage tray. It seems that with some modification the tray portion could be fitted to the 59A pan. Might even be simpler to just fab a new one.
Thanks to everyone who has responded .
Keith

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 34PKUP

Well, I guess that even Ford felt it was foolish or why would they eliminate the windage tray in the '52 and '53 Mercury 4 inch stroke flathead?

This logic is flawed. Why auto companies do things is beyond anyone's guess. Mostly its done to save money.

[solidaxle]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

I realize your working with a 59A style oil pan. To help with a design for the latter 8ba block Ford actual made an oil pan that includes a complete windage tray assembly it was used on Mercury engines which of course also had the 4 inch stroke crankshafts. If you were able to look at the Mercury oil pan Ford used on the latter 8BA block you will see a perfect example of what to do. The oil pump pickup for this oil pan is an added bonus which you could use on the 59A. The pickup includes metal around the pickup screen area that helps add further windage protection. You could actually use that Mercury pick up with your oil pump and have a good start on what to design around the factory part.

For those who may feel this is a foolish idea take a moment and wonder why Ford would go to all the trouble of designing and including such a foolish idea for a stock flathead. There's actually a simple answer because it actually works. I know on my engines it works heck even the tuners who loose when racing against me know this as well.
Ronnieroadster

Here's what I believe is a "51" pan Ronnie mentions.

[frnkeore]

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I'm late to this.

As for HP, most windage trays will be in the single digits. Many claim no HP increase. I've only run one, back in the 60's, on a 427 and did no A/B test, to see if it increased HP.

Anything you can do, to control the oil will be beneficial, especially in keeping the upper oil, off the crank. Try to route it to the front and rear of the engine. Little things here and there can always help.

Regarding the pictured 49/51 pan, it is not a windage tray, that is a baffle and a fairly well designed one. Great for cornering, stops, starts and steep hills.

It separates the aerated oil from the pan oil but, doesn't to anything to control and condense that oil.

Ford may have added it to see if it reduced warranty claims, found it didn't and removed it from the last two years. My only guess?

[khschs]

I think I have come up with a plan "A" (least used plan in the world).
Fabricate a tray closely resembling that used on the 50s Mercury. I think that it will improve oil control and should be rather simple to fabricate.
It would be helpful,however, if I could get a few dimensions off an original Merc pan. Any help along that line would be appreciated.
Keith

[Ronnieroadster]

Keith I can help with some measurements of the windage tray installed in the Mercury pan and the correct pickup as well send me a PM.
Ronnieroadster

[51 MERC-CT]

Some observations made some time ago on location of tray.