[smithd7]

This is my first Ford in a Ford,I bought a '50 Ford with a 302 engine. How do I find out what year this engine is? I changed the oil today and it took 7 Qts. and only came up to ADD. Do these engines take that much oil?
I am at a total loss as how to figure out just what year this engine is.
Can anyone help me out?
Thanks so much for any help.

:huh:

 

[fixitnowlt]

How to Identify Engine Year for a Ford 302 | eHow.com

7 quarts may be excessive in a car maybe not a truck. You may have an incorrect sump or dipstick. I'm not sure so good luck investigating!

 

[CatSkinner]

You have to remember that there are after market deep oil sumps, that might not be a stock oil pan.

 

[fixitnowlt]

Duly noted, Catskinner. It is important to think of ALL the possibilities.

 

[smithd7]

I found the problem, the engine does not sit level,it is tilted down at the rear,so the level will not show up on the dip stick with 5 qts. I wonder how long the previous owners had been over filling the pan. It is the stock oil pan,I can see the part number stamped on the bottom.

 

[jwko]

Its supposed to tilt back some but not so much it will throw the dipstick off 'that much'. Usually 3 to 4 degrees. The crank should be in line (or close) to the pinion at ride height, so the drive line will be straight as possible. That's why an engine is tilted downward in the rear.

 

[smithd7]

What would I need to do to relocate my dipstick from the front to another location on this 302 ?

 

[jwko]

What I would do (assuming this is a 5qt pan) is get a slightly longer dipstick. Change the oil minus 1 qt, start the engine and let it circulate, then let it sit for a few. Check the oil level and scratch a mark, that will be your 'low' line. Add the 5th quart, let it sit a few, then scratch your full line. Make sure the stick you get does not touch the bottom of the pan. If it does, trim it off.

Can you post a pic of the engine? Curious to see how much of a tilt the engine has.

 

[smithd7]

The dipstick I have now touches the bottom of the pan. With 6 qts. nothing on the stick,7 qts. just barely shows,7 1/2 it shows full.
I can try to email you a photo. I don't know how to post to the forum.

:idk:

 

[jwko]

Oh my, the engine must be tilted way down in the back.

I replied back to your pm with that info.

 

[jwko]

Photos from smithd7

 

[jwko]

smithd7 sent me some more photos. To me it doesn't look like its tilted back much at all. It almost has to be either a larger capacity oil pan or short dip stick. I'll let someone else comment.

 

[R.S.LOGAN]

From those pictures got to agree , looks ok and doubt that's the problem .

 

[CatSkinner]

Nice looking engine. Can we get a pic of the sump?

 

[smithd7]

Just to bring everyone up to speed, The dipstick can't be too short cause it hits the bottom of the pan. The part number on the pan shows it to be from a bronco,6 qt. capacity.With 6qts. no show on stick,7 qts. just a little bit on stick, 8 qts. shows full. It's hard to tell by the engine photos but it is tilted at the rear,and it's pretty apparent. I drained out 2 qts. and am going to call it good.Still would like to change pan to move dipstick to side of engine.