1997 Cobra Champ oil Pan Question

[cfriedman67]

I installed a a champ shallow oil pan on my 1997 Cobra engine. On the drivers side of the champ pan there is a 1/2 inch threaded hole, not the oil drainage hole. Does anyone know what that is for or can I plug it up?

Thanks

[Gordon Levy]

Used as a port for oil temp. If you are not using an oil temp gauge yes you can plug it.

[cfriedman67]

Thanks Gordon.

[walt mckenna]

I used that hole for my oil temp sensor.

[walt mckenna]

I also found out that the stock dipstick is not long enough to register the 7 quart (including filter) capacity of the Champ pan. When I added enough oil to register full on the stock dipstick, I had almost 9 quarts in the pan. The manufacturer recommended that I get a longer dipstick and establish a new full mark at the 7 quart level.

[cfriedman67]

Hi Walt,

Did you purchase a specific dipstick? Also, thanks for the reply and help. Not sure I would have realized that without getting myself in trouble.

[walt mckenna]

I purchased a generic stick from an auto parts store, put 6 quarts in the pan along with a new filter, and let the engine run for a few minutes. After engine drain down, I marked the 6 quart level on the stick, added another quart, and then marked the stick for full. I then cut off the excess stick, tapered the end a little so that it would slide down the tube smoothly and that was it.

I have experienced long sweeping turns at the track with no hickup in oil pressure, so the pan controls the oil as designed. I also like the fact that the oil pool is farther away from the crank and windage tray (no special reason). My cruising oil temperature in summer never gets above 150 and at the track it never gets above 180 after twenty minutes of spirited driving.

[cfriedman67]

Thanks. I will do the same.