Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

[judgebobo]

I am rebuilding my engine, the previous block was a 4 bolt main. My new block is a 2 bolt main. not a problem at all so far. My question is; the old block (4bolt main) had studs attached to the middle bolts to hold the baffle assembly in the oil pan. Is it ok for me to take the studs/bolts off of the old block and replace the studs/bolts on the new block (2 bolt main) or is the baffle assembly even needed. I have been told that I do not have to worry about it. I have also been told that you dont want to change those bolts. Anyone with knowledge of this please help. I hope that I gave enough info for this particular situation.

1988 Gen IV 454 Hi perf marine engine

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

I am rebuilding my engine, the previous block was a 4 bolt main. My new block is a 2 bolt main. not a problem at all so far. My question is; the old block (4bolt main) had studs attached to the middle bolts to hold the baffle assembly in the oil pan. Is it ok for me to take the studs/bolts off of the old block and replace the studs/bolts on the new block (2 bolt main) or is the baffle assembly even needed. I have been told that I do not have to worry about it. I have also been told that you dont want to change those bolts. Anyone with knowledge of this please help. I hope that I gave enough info for this particular situation.

1988 Gen IV 454 Hi perf marine engine

I would keep the windage tray, as it helps collect and keep oil in the pan.

As long as the bolts for the 4 bolt are equal length to the 2 bolt bolts, and in good shape, I see no reason not to use them.

 

[mkast]

Re: Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

or is the baffle assembly even needed. I have been told that I do not have to worry about it. I have also been told that you dont want to change those bolts.

Mercruiser purchased the engine from GM.
I think the engine would have cost less without the windage tray.
Mercruiser used let's say 100,000 V8 engines that year.
Let's say the tray costs $1, wouldn't Mercruiser have saved $100,000 by not using the tray?
The windage tray is used to keep oil from hitting the spinning crankshaft, which would result in aeration (foam) of the oil.
Does your boat bounce up and down sometimes?
Oil pumps don't move foam as easily as oil.
ARP makes a pretty good living selling main cap bolts, I'm dying to hear why you shouldn't change the bolts.

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

okay, thanks those are the answers I was looking for. I am the less experienced "engine guy" of the 2 of us that are doing this rebuild. My partner was nervous about using the main cap bolts from the old stating that some of those are not meant to be interchangeable but wasnt sure and just was looking for another opinion. (not my expertiece at all) I willl let him know what I found out. Thanks for the help.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

SOME anal retentive people would hold that when you change main bearing cap bolt style, ie bolt to stud, etc... that main bearing alignment checked and line bored if necessary..

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

SOME anal retentive people would hold that when you change main bearing cap bolt style, ie bolt to stud, etc... that main bearing alignment checked and line bored if necessary..

Should be a standard bolt (not studs) with an extension on it and threads at the end. My 2 Bolt 454 has the windage tray, and uses that style bolt.

 

[mkast]

Re: Baffle Assembly in Oil pan Question

SOME anal retentive people would hold that when you change main bearing cap bolt style, ie bolt to stud, etc... that main bearing alignment checked and line bored if necessary..

Align bore is pretty much standard operating procedure for V8 GM blocks.