4 years ago I made the mistake of buying a Ill fitting hardin marine 14 qt offshore oil pan for my 540,with enough "great stuff" it has never leaked but its not pretty so I continue to use it because it works well and it was 6 or 7 hundred dollars. This year when I pulled it off to freshen the motor I saw the paint they had painted it inside with when it was built was starting to bubble. I remember hearing about someone having paint or some kind of crap get loose in their oil pan before and it got into their oil system causing them to loose their bottom end. I figured I would send it through the hot tank at the machine shop that is doing my work and the loose stuff would come out and I would figure out some way to blend something new into it. Well today my son stopped by the machine shop to pick a crankshaft up for a customers motor and he reports to me they had my pan done. They ran it through until there wasn't any evidence of any paint inside or out left on it. I can prime and paint the outside with the same high temp black I always use on the motor that works ok but what should I do for the inside? Leave it bare,have it powder coated,teflon coated,epoxied or what? There are several areas in it that are very difficult to even get to because of all the trap doors and baffles,etc. Any good suggestions? I don't want to do anything that has any chance of loosening up and getting into my oil system for obvious reasons,thanks for your replies in advance,Smitty

I vote for bare for all the obvious reasons you listed.

put oil in it .........

Inside doesn't need paint. All that oil should seal it from moisture.
I wouldn't paint it any how. Too afraid of debris coming off and screwing up the bearings.

If you really want to do something with it try talking to a plating shop about corrosion proof coatings.

Ditto!

Smitty:

Oil pans should never be painted or coated inside unless the coating is actually plating like a good cad finish. I think its time for OSO'ers to remember that when you need dentistry you go to a Dentist and when you need brain surgery you go to a Brain surgeon. I am surprised more guys on here don't use Dooley, Canton, etc for pans instead of using the dentist who dables in brain surgery.
Just hav'in fun no criticism intended.

Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Speaking of pans, I have a Canton pan that I bought for my 557. It's the 10 qt. "full length" type. I believe the last 3 numbers of the Mod. No. are 302.

Anyone ever had issues with them ??

Thanks

Nothing.

A quick story! A buddy cleaned all the casting flash out of the lifter valley then epoxy painted it sayind it would drain quicker, After few months he noticed the oil pressure would drop after running a short while especialy in a chop. I helped to pull the engine and then the pan, you guesses it, was full of paint chips. To get it all cleaned up and back together required a full tear down a bead blast of the valley and then back together just about a week all toll!! So much for having even one spec of paint inside and engine!

Phil

I agree with Raylar. Either put a cad plating, a gold irridate, or nothing at all. I use the irridate on mine. It will not come off.