Oil Pan

[trotterlg]

I have a 3.1 engine to put into a Fiero, 3rd gen with the cast aluminum oil pan. On these, the mail bearing caps have little ears on the sides of them (the first 3) that bolts go into from the outside of the sides of the cast aluminum pan. Will these little "ears" clear a stamped steel pan on the inside or will I have to cut them off the main caps before I use a stamped pan? Larry

[geoffinbc]

You cannot install a Gen I or II pan on a gen III. The bolt pattern is different. I believe you can keep the cast pan in a Fiero. If not cut and weld it.

[trotterlg]

Some gen 3 engines have a steel oil pan, I know I have to change the timing cover out, I only need to know if the main bearing caps will hit the sides of the steel pan or not. Larry

[bszopi]

Some gen 3 engines have a steel oil pan

Example? As I can't think of a single one...

And without trying it, I doubt anyone would really be able to tell you a definite answer. Probably best to take a whole bunch of measurements to attempt to verify.

[Joseph Upson]

Note that the area of the aluminum pan that actually contacts the bearing caps is recessed, so there should be no problem with the steel pan clearing the sides of the caps as the entire length of the steel pan is flush as well as thinner than the aluminum pan. I recall the rear main cap being different between those pans as well and as far as the Fiero is concerned there is a first and second design pan, the second of which has the appropriate timing cover to match which works with the aluminum pan if you decide to keep it.

[trotterlg]

Thank you, now I know what to be watching for. Larry

[geoffinbc]

It still will not work. The steel pan does not have the same bolt pattern as the 3X00 block, regardless if cross bolted main caps are used or not. I believe there is a pic floating around here somewhere.

[bszopi]

It still will not work. The steel pan does not have the same bolt pattern as the 3X00 block, regardless if cross bolted main caps are used or not. I believe there is a pic floating around here somewhere.

He could always drill the pan (and gasket) for the new bolt pattern. I'm not recommending it, just saying that its possible...

[geoffinbc]

True enough. However I would not give up the benefits of the aluminum pan for a tin one. The rigidity and extra cooling is reason enough to make it work with the Fiero.

[Superdave]

No Gen 3 engine ever had a steel pan from the factory, they are all cast aluminum.

[Joseph Upson]

I believe it's the aluminum head 2.8 that had the steel pan. Had one in my Fiero years ago and just don't recall it having an aluminum pan.

[Superdave]

I believe it's the aluminum head 2.8 that had the steel pan. Had one in my Fiero years ago and just don't recall it having an aluminum pan.

Yes, the gen2 engines had steel pans just like the gen1's. The Gen3's went to the structural pan.