Engine Belly Pan

[77newell]

My 77 Newell has a metal pan that spans the major frame members from where the engine meets the tranny to underneath the radiator. When I change the oil I must remove it and I always find a number of pebbles on it. I'm wondering if others have such a pan installed. My question is driven by the fact this pan seems to direct any fluid leaks into the bottom of the fan, the fan sort of sucks it up. I'm thinking that if the pan is needed to keep pebbles out of the fan then I might create a flexible barrier between the frame members and the side of the engine and below the fan. This might also reduce the dust blowing through there.

Just thinking
Jon

[HoosierDaddy]

Hi Jon,
My '78 did not have a pan. It may have been installed to remedy oil dripping while parked. A bit of oil and dust build-up are fairly normal for a blow-thru radiator. Steam cleaning the radiator should be regularly scheduled maintenence.

[encantotom]

mine has a diamond screen cover over the bottom of the engine. most of the ones like mine do as well. it keeps major things off the bottom of the engine while still letting things "drip" if necessary, though i dont have any drips on my engine.

tom