The 340 is out....again.....

nm9stheham said
FWIW... from the Plymouth FSM in the small block section for 273 and poly 318....."The bottom of the strainer must be parallel with the machined surface of the cylinder block. The bottom of the strainer must touch the bottom of the oil pan."

Just my thought for why (maybe!): To get max pick of oil and also to provide a little stability to the pickup tube, and avoid any odd noises of the strainer vibrating against the pan on occasion. I installed my /6 pickup juuuuust off of the bottom of the pan and it makes an odd noise at idle now an then that I attribute to the pickup vibrating against the pan. (Can't find any other reason for it...)

That's what I was talking about. Is there not a max distance the pick up can be away from the pan? Been a long time since I saw that number. The FACT still remains that if you are paying for your crap to be assembled, or you are doing it yourself, and you are dead set on a stock pan, you need to set that pickup on the pan floor. It don't need to be press fit, as in pulling the pan down with bolts. But as close to zero as you can get.

If this were done, there'd be a lot less bearing and oil pressure issues. Either that, or add oil and remark the dip stick.