Reply to "Engine oil fill"

Long sump steel oil pans take the same dipstick as stock pans. Your pan looks like it's been modified by someone for some reason, as none of the common as-sold steel aftermarket pans look like that as-delivered. Damage to pan bottoms is common, which also sometimes affects the critical oil pump pickup height above the bottom. As to what's inside your pan, some aftermarket oil pans are simple open buckets suitable only for trucks, or pans with drag-race baffles, or (most desirable) a fully baffled, trap-doored pan that will save your engine bearings if installed. Aviaid and Armando's pans are of this type. Of the stock & drag race pans, there are three of them as well, none will do much to resist Pantera cornering forces. There are two uncommon welded-aluminum pans known as well; check yours with a magnet. From the welds, it may be steel.

It would probably be a good idea to drop that pan and see what the insides look like. Take photos! There's supposed to be a welded steel crossmember running under the shallower portion of the pan near the rear. In your photo, it may be there but can't quite see it. This supports the lower rear suspension pickup points. A factory upgrade to Panteras built after 1974 was a removeable bolt-in crossmember so the oil pan can be easily removed. This also came with a bolt-in e-brake support replacing a welded assembly; the pans all drop down, then slide forward a few inches to clear the front-mount oil pumps before the pan drops all the way off. With early welded crossmembers, the engine needs to come out to remove the pan! Good luck.