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Old 11-28-2022, 02:28 PM
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Default windage tray for mild build ?

I am building a mild street 400 for the street car. The 400 had no windage tray from the factory. Should I look at installing one for a mild 400 build? I am thinking for $100 can't hurt but don't know if it would be a waste of money.

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Old 11-28-2022, 02:32 PM
tom s tom s is offline
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I think I would get a pan that has the sump built in to help contain the oil at the pump.Tom

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Old 11-28-2022, 02:52 PM
ta man ta man is offline
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Not worth the effort or cost. I don't even have one.

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Old 11-28-2022, 03:07 PM
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I would, especially on a street engine.... We always try to use them. The factory spent a lot of dough installing them on millions of engines.... I'm betting they did something positive. Pontiac "did things for a reason". They stopped using windage trays when cost cutting took precedence over quality.

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Old 11-28-2022, 04:50 PM
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I don’t have one. But, I do run the Canton 15-400 pan that keeps the oil away from the crank. Even at 7 qts.

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Old 11-28-2022, 05:19 PM
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You need to check caps if they are even tapped for one

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Old 11-29-2022, 11:50 AM
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What year did they stop using them?

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Old 11-29-2022, 12:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PunchT37 View Post
I don’t have one. But, I do run the Canton 15-400 pan that keeps the oil away from the crank. Even at 7 qts.
I use the same pan.

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373 gears 3200 Continental Convertor
best et 10.679/127.5/1.533 60ft
308 gears best et 10.76/125.64/1.5471
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Old 11-29-2022, 12:28 PM
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I believe the factory stopped using them in mid 72 when the baffled oil pan became the standard.
The baffled pan was instagted by the handling that the Trans Ams where capable of.

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Old 11-29-2022, 01:18 PM
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The 1974 engines still had the windage trays, they stopped using them in 1975 from what I’ve seen.

Had ‘73 and ‘74 455s both equipped with trays. Also had a ‘75 455, no tray. All three were virgin not rebuilt.

All 3 engines had the baffled oil pan.

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Old 11-29-2022, 02:20 PM
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Pontiac Windage Tray & Oil Baffle Tech. Including dates and pictures within the link here.

https://www.gtoforum.com/threads/pon...e-tech.137776/

Similar information regarding production dates within the H-O Racing Pontiac book where it was stated "Pontiac has used windage trays on all their V-8's up though mid-1973".

( Information provided in this post does not represent any endorsement. And unless specified it is not based on personal experience and is offered for general interest only )

Note the comment and pictures regarding the full length tray was more prone to cracking. That happened to one I installed many years ago.



.

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Last edited by Steve C.; 11-29-2022 at 02:29 PM.
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Old 11-29-2022, 02:35 PM
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Here is a links on discussions regarding the factory trays cracking. These are only two of many such threads..

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...t=windage+tray

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...t=windage+tray


.

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Old information here:
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Old 11-29-2022, 02:56 PM
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I have a 74 YY 455 that doesn’t have a tray and a 73 YC 455 that does.

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Old 11-29-2022, 02:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ta man View Post
I use the same pan.
Yep. I turn this thing to 6000 to 6300 on many occasions. No smoking or oil consumption.

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Old 11-29-2022, 03:30 PM
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If your caps are tapped it seems like a no brainer to add one. Windage tray and/or a factory-style baffled pan are a baseline for any build IMO.

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Old 11-29-2022, 04:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Verdoro 68 View Post
If your caps are tapped it seems like a no brainer to add one. Windage tray and/or a factory-style baffled pan are a baseline for any build IMO.
They don’t fit well with main studs. At least without mods.

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Old 11-29-2022, 05:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PunchT37 View Post
They don’t fit well with main studs. At least without mods.
You’re right, unmodified they tray won’t clear. In my last build, the machine shop punched out holes in the stock tray to clear the studs. Butler sells a spacer kit that gives you clearance for main studs. I have them with the 3/4 length Tomahawk tray in my new build.

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Old 11-29-2022, 09:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 25stevem View Post
I believe the factory stopped using them in mid 72 when the baffled oil pan became the standard.
The baffled pan was instagted by the handling that the Trans Ams where capable of.
All the ‘72 engines I have torn down had windage trays installed. I believe Bart is correct: 1975.

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Old 11-29-2022, 10:32 PM
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My engine was a 74 400 and had no windage tray. Caps are not drilled for one. Lower dipstick tube was bolted to the top of the center cap.
I was thinking of a windage tray that I used on the race car. It mounts between the pan and block.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...8/make/pontiac

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Old 11-29-2022, 10:46 PM
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Mike, using that tray, how is the pan gasket situated?

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