LS oil pan and power steering conflict

[davidshearme]

I have a Blue Print LS376 installed in my 35 Hot Rod Truck. The power steering unit won't bolt up to the mount on the frame without hitting the oil pan. Blue Print Engines tells me that they have hundreds of their engines installed with this pan in my application and they are working just fine. Has anyone else experienced this problem with the LS3 from Blue Print Engines? If yes...was it resolved by either Blue Print or by Factory Five?

[FFinisher]

I have a Blue Print LS376 installed in my 35 Hot Rod Truck. The power steering unit won't bolt up to the mount on the frame without hitting the oil pan. Blue Print Engines tells me that they have hundreds of their engines installed with this pan in my application and they are working just fine. Has anyone else experienced this problem with the LS3 from Blue Print Engines? If yes...was it resolved by either Blue Print or by Factory Five?

Turn the power steering motor so it points upward. The motor should be on top for the LS installation. I can send a pic if you send me your email in a PM.

[edwardb]

I have an LS3 in the Hot Rod Truck I'm building. Build thread in my sig line below. Ran into the same problem. It won't fit in the orientation Factory Five shows in their instructions. Two options based on my experience and what other builders told me:

1. Clock the PS unit so the motor is straight up. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?37287-EdwardB%92s-35-Hot-Rod-Truck-Build-Engine-is-IN&p=441770&viewfull=1#post441770. I ended up ruling out this option based on close proximity to the headers I'm using. Just wasn't happy with how much heat it would be exposed to. Maybe your setup will be different.

2. New oil pan. Yup. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?37287-EdwardB%92s-35-Hot-Rod-Truck-Build-Engine-is-IN&p=442489&viewfull=1#post442489. I went with a Holley 302-3 GM LS retrofit pan. Solved the problem.

I question the "hundreds installed in this application" response. There haven't been that many trucks, let alone with LS and power steering. I suspect the hot rod is the same setup, but I don't know that sure. Even then, still wouldn't be that many. This is a very specific situation with where the PS assist unit is placed and certain engines. In this case the LS.

[davidshearme]

Thanks for your reply. I wasn't counting on having to change the oil pan on an engine BPE says is perfect for the 35 Hot Rod Truck, this after spending over 23,000.00 CDN for it. Now it looks like another 590.00 CDN for a new oil pan.

[edwardb]

Thanks for your reply. I wasn't counting on having to change the oil pan on an engine BPE says is perfect for the 35 Hot Rod Truck, this after spending over 23,000.00 CDN for it. Now it looks like another 590.00 CDN for a new oil pan.

Sorry. I'm just sharing my experience. If this is your only build surprise you'll have way fewer than I typically have. :p Make sure it really fits your situation. Also standing it up like I showed and FFinisher also mentioned in post #2 is a definite option.

[davidshearme]

No need to be sorry. I appreciate your reply and will be following your build closely.

[House Money]

Another option, and what I used, is the F-body pan from GM Partsdirect. You will need P/N's 12628771 pan, 12558251 pick-up and 12558253 windage tray, I paid $320.99 USD when I ordered these, current price is $291.24 USD, not sure how that compares to the Holley pieces nor how it computes to $ CDN.

Gary