Oil capacity for magnum with LA pan

[Burlapen]

Ok. How much oil is this thing actually supposed to take. I used the summit 5.9 magnum with 360 oil pan. Shorter style oil filter. The dipstick is pretty much useless since it’s matched to the original magnum pan (I’m using magnum accessories).

 

[1994redram]

I used an LA dipstick and pan on my magnum engine. The dipstick needed a slight bend to it and I cut the bracket off the magnum dipstick tube and welded it to the LA dipstick tube so it bolts to the magnum bracket like original. I think 5 quarts is all I needed.

 

[jos51700]

You're going about it backwards.

Drain oil, replace plug. Add 4 quarts. Dip your Magnum stick (snicker).

This is "Add". Mark with little pin drill, scratch marks, whatev.

Add a Quart. Wipe n' dip. This is "full".
Mark accordingly.

For me, I punched the pin outta the magnum stick, and shortened/drilled accordingly to make my longer-but-factory marks move up to where I needed them.

 

[sireland67]

5.5 qts with a short filter.

 

[Burlapen]

Thanks for the good input guys. I will give it a shot. I like the idea of shortening the dipstick from the handle side.

 

[MopaR&D]

Hey guys, so I'm doing the same thing with my 5.9 build using a 360 LA car pan... I filled up the pan with 5 quarts of water to get an idea of how much that is and it seems to sit pretty high in the pan, is that correct? I suppose when the engine is running and the oil is circulating the level is lower?

 

[67Dart273]

!!HUH!! I think I always ran 5 qt in an LA including the filter.

 

[toolmanmike]

Does the Magnum take 5 quarts with a filter like the LA does? There's your answer.

 

[67Dart273]

Does the Magnum take 5 quarts with a filter like the LA does? There's your answer.

I think "it depends". The Dakotas have an VERY smallish looking sump compared to RAM pickups

 

[toolmanmike]

I think "it depends". The Dakotas have an VERY smallish looking sump compared to RAM pickups

But their capacity is still 5 quarts correct?

 

[MopaR&D]

Something to note, my 1988 Chrysler Fifth Avenue specified 4 quarts for the 318's oil, it definitely read "FULL" with only that much in it... did they change the pans on the later pass-car LA engines or just change the dipstick to read lower, perhaps to reduce windage? I'm running a windage tray as well so I'll probably go with 5 quarts anyway...

 

[Bobzilla]

Does the Magnum take 5 quarts with a filter like the LA does? There's your answer.

The difference between a Magnum capacity and an LA capacity is just oil pan itself, dictated by application. My 1999 Dodge Ram pickup has plenty of room under it for a deep pan to get the away from the rotating assembly and for increased capacity, so it uses something like 6 quarts including a new oil filter. That engine was removed from the truck, pan and pickup were changed to a 4 quart capacity pan that fits an LA engine in an A-body. My capacity is now 4 quarts plus oil filter.
Unless you modify whatever pan you are using or add an external cooler, or run a dry sump, the oil capacity is dictated by the pan, regardless of engine style.

 

[toolmanmike]

The difference between a Magnum capacity and an LA capacity is just oil pan itself, dictated by application. My 1999 Dodge Ram pickup has plenty of room under it for a deep pan to get the away from the rotating assembly and for increased capacity, so it uses something like 6 quarts including a new oil filter. That engine was removed from the truck, pan and pickup were changed to a 4 quart capacity pan that fits an LA engine in an A-body. My capacity is now 4 quarts plus oil filter.
Unless you modify whatever pan you are using or add an external cooler, or run a dry sump, the oil capacity is dictated by the pan, regardless of engine style.

My point exactly. A 5 quart pan is a 5 quart pan regardless of whether it came off a magnum or LA. The pan it's designed pick-up should be installed together. They were designed to work with each other.