Is there such a thing?

I took an old 350 out of my 68, that was in it when I bought it, I have no idea where it originally came from. The oil pan was pretty nasty looking, so instead of re-using it, I got a new one from summit. It was the cheap stock stamped pan.... I think it was like $35, already painted.

Well, I think it's a little different. I noticed my inner tie-rod zerk fittings have dented the new pan, where they didn't hit the old one. Also, I just took oput the trans, and I noticed that the engine woudn't rock back on the mounts as fas at it used to - the oil pan was hitting the front crossmember. Again, It didn't used to do that. (actually, it made getting the 4-speed out very difficult. I really could have used a couple more degrees of tilt)

Can I buy a replacement pan that would fit like the old one? Or am I better off cleaning up the old one, and re-using it? I do drag race, so maybe this is an opportunity to upgrade to something more suited to street driving+some drag racing?

Thanks for any advice! :)

The problem is cheap = junk. Try this.http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=GMP08A&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D6%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree %3D%2CChevelle%2FMonte%20Carlo&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D163%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tr ee%3D0%2CChevelle%2FMonte%20Carlo%20Engine&2=product%5Ffamily%2Easp%2Cfamily%5Fid%3D3880%26Tr ee%3D1%2CChevelle%2FEl%20Camino%2FMonte%20Carlo%20 Oil%20Pans&HSLB=False&mscssid=64A4D982DBD247FB938BD26E67C946B9

I had the same EXACT PROBLEM! I got the CHEAP ***** Summit painted oil pan also. I had the hardest time getiing the motor back on the mounts. I thought I was going crazy. It took way to long to put the engine back in the car. Then one day I was changing the oil and I noticed the pan was dented/gouged so badly I thought it was going to pop if I made another hard right turn. I pulled the engine out to do a total rebuild and the pan was definatly sitting on the crossmember. Missing paint and dented.
I was thinking of changing to later style motor mounts, thinking that they would raise the motor slightly. I still have the engine out of the car and I haven't yet changed the mounts, and I am looking for a new pan.
I know this story dosent help your situation, but atleast your not the only one.

Brotherjoe,

You are right! I took a look after reading your post, and my tie-rod was hitting on hard right turns.... and the pan has marks from where it rubbed the crossmember in more than oneplace.

Furball, so you say it's not a Chevelle specific pan? My problem is because of cheap knock-off parts? So any GM pan, or quality aftermarket pan will fit right?

Thanks again!

Did you by any chance change to urethane motor mounts.
I had problems in my 67 with oil pan clearance at the crossmember
I checked the pan after hauling the motor out and compared the factory unit to the new one. No real visible differences.

I bought a new GM pan. It fit great and looks good.

Yes, I do have urethane mounts, but they were on the old engine too with no problems.

I just took a look at the old pan, and it's definately a little different than the new one. It's a little narrower in the front, as well as shorter under the crossmember. I can't believe I didn't notice the differences earlier.

So, I decided to bite the bullet, and get a new GM pan. I think that's the only way to be sure it will fit right and be a good quality piece. Soemtimes being cheap costs more in the long run.... :)

By no means are you the only one with this problem. I have a 7qt Moroso oil pan that i dented on both sides to avoid the hitting. My engine is at the machine shop and I was told that I have to find a way to raise the motor to get the pan off the crossmember. I noticed on the mounts and the saddle on the frame that the bolt holes were slotted. Would it help to move the slotted frame mounts to the top of the slot to gain some room? Would it also help to bolt the motor at the top of the slot on the mount to gain more room?