Does anyone know which oil pan will work for a big block swap into a 86 truck? i do not know if a need a front sump or a rear. I have a rear sump pan on the shelf hoping that will work. Any info will be appreciated.

The mid 70s big block pan will work. The Dodge truck frames changed very little (around the motor) between 73 and 93. Gene

now when you say mid 70s oil pan are you talking about center sump, front sump or rear sump? The pan on the 440 im going to use has a center sump and i already know that will not work. I looked at a friends 78 and it has a rear sump. The parts store says it should take a front sump, but usually those guys are full of it. Please clarify.

Its been a long time, but I believe big block 4x4 trucks need the rear sump pan. The center sump puts the sump right above the front axle where it can get smashed (I know), and I believe the front sump does not clear the crossmember.

The other 78 4x4 thread shows a 440 truck motor with a rear sump. Gene

you can use 78 truck parts.

rear sump oil pan.

my 440 had a front sump with windage tray, I reused the tray with the 78 truck rear sump oil pan and the rear sump BB oil pick up tube. 2 stock gaskets for the install.

I used 78 center dump (2 driver side truck manifolds) then went to a set of hedman 79250 headers which are a perfect for the 2x chassis.. will need to have a look to see if they fit the 4x4 chassis.

you will need the 4x4 specific motor mounts, the driver side is offset with a hole to clear the oil pump spring/plug.

I recommend a mini denso 120 amp alt from a 89 ram 1500 van =external regulated and will bolt on with stock brackets. also a mini starter from a 93+ ram/dak

I run the stock SB rad that was in my 88 truck but a 86 3/4-1 ton truck has a bolt in larger/taller 4 core HD max cooling rad.. 78 stock non a/c hoses and belts fit.

if you go power steering, I suggest the high mount pump for the 78 BB trucks or a mini pump can be retro fitted for a small compact/clean look with a remote tank or tank on pump.

you may also need the small brake booster from a 86 3/4-1 ton to clear VC on the BB.

I used a stock manual brake set up with a alum plate and alum 2 bolt MC from the mid 80s trucks.

got a lot of pics of my 440 in the 88 truck if you need to see something.

thank you or the info, I got the factory manual today and found out that the rear sump is what I need. I all ready had the pan and a set of center dump manifolds, and I ordered the mounts from Mancini. The only thing i see that i still need aquire is a engine harness out of a 360 truck. The 318 had a lean-burn like setup with a dual pickup distributor and a bunch of smog connections to a under fender computer, that i do not want to rewire to get rid of. The 360 trucks did not have the computer.

I have an 83 4x4 that I put a 383 in and used the rear sump pan, the center dump manifolds and 4x4 mounts. Everything fits and works good. I did not have to change anything on the booster and I have column shift. I have a set of big block 2 wheel drive motor mounts, I thought they would work so is there a reason why they wouldnt work in a 4x4? Also on the lean burn you dont need a different harness, just eliminate all the lean burn stuff and ad a wire to the relay on the drivers side inner fender for the ignition. Took me 2 days looking at the manual and while eating a bowl of cereal looking at the manual I figured it out. I will go out in a few and snap a pic. Greg

I believe the 4x4 motor mount brackets lifted the motor for more clearance between the pan and the front drive axle. Probably not an issue if you are not using the full suspension downward travel (no off road) or have a suspension lift kit.

Years ago, I through a car 383 (with its center sump pan and 2x4 truck motor brackets) into an old 4x4. Worked out well until one winter night I took a trip off the road into a field (actually, over the ditch). Fortunately, it went into and came out of the feild and the ride home was about 500 feet. I got to lay in the snow bank outside the garage and change the very flat oil pan and pickup tube. Then I saw the timing chain hanging down off the bottom of the crank pulley, so I went ahead and changed that as well. Judging from the amount of pan smash, the clearance even with the truck pan and the 2x4 brackets, it still would have required a pan change. The whole the truck was off the ground at least 2 times going over the ditch and through the field experience, (5' deep and narrow ditch) once going over it, and once going over it coming out, weather it bounced high enough to clear the ground after the 1st encounter is in question. That was a fun evening.....Gene