The steering linkage will interfere with an accurate reproduction pan on a C body application.

Here's a great example of the "relief" in an oe C body pan for the tie rod.

http://store.440source.com/Big-Block-A-B...tinfo/200-1133/


That said, it might be worthwhile to check ebay to see if anyone is making a decent deeper pan that has the relief stamped in. Otherwise you'll be in for some fabrication.

Oiling system mods.... the hole in the main bearing shell is only a letter "E" drill bit.. .250 ..... At the end of the day your bearing clearance is what determines how much oil will pass through..... important thing is don't break a drill bit off in the block, don't go crazy with OD and break through the side of the main web, make sure the passage is clean and, sure it's a good idea to remove the "step". I still "like" 1/2" pickups but would not do another unless I had to, as I feel the sharp turns between the pickup boss and the pump cause more issues than the size of the pipe.