Oil Capacity

[Loki9]

I've seen the question of oil capacity asked a few times here with varying answers given. Here's a table I found on another site that may be helpful.

Suggested Oil Levels	Angle of Install'n	Amount Full	Amount Low
(Quarts) 	             0 degrees      	5.75    	     5
	                     5 degrees      	4.75 	             4
	                    10 degrees      	3.5 	             2.75
	                    14 degrees      	2.75 	             2.25

[systemek]

Very interesting and helpful. Thanks for the post!

[Joel H.]

Ah, I was one of the recent posters looking for that Info. That's exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks for that,
Joel H.

[Sony2000]

How does anyone measure the angle? So I decided to use the dipstick. Full plus 1/4 to 1/3, liter or quart for insurance, and never less than full. How does that measure up to the graph?

[edwardc]

How does anyone measure the angle?

The angle is relative to the plane of the engine mount flanges. I measured it using a small digital carpenter's level placed on the flanges.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-in-digital-lasertrac-reg-level/p-00948292000P

[Ball Racing]

The top of the head is pretty much flat-level to the crank.
I placed a magnetic angle gauge (available at Lowes)on the head and took the reading.

[Sony2000]

Thanks for the method. Those volumes will give an oil reading at the high mark on the dipstick. But getting down to a 3 quart range is uncomfortable, and risks starving the assessory drive bearing. Going a little over is cheap insurance for a number of reasons.
Flying in the far north, any gasoline that placed the airplane into an over gross takeoff weight, was called granny gas and it didn't show up on the weight and balance. A cheap insurance that you will see your grand children.

[Ball Racing]

You can also do the accessory drive mod to aid in oiling if thats a problem.
Also you can have too much oil that will cause foaming and other problems from the moving parts being in too much oil.
I guess as others have stated if these motors lasted this long run as designed you should still be okay.

[srfnmn]

Oil capacity confusion

Im a bit puzzled by the oil volume as it relates to the dipstick in our 1972 30' Coronado. After seeing black oil on the dipstick I wondered if our friend/mechanic was actually doing the job so I picked up a hand pump at WM and did the job myself for the first time. It worked just how everyone has described and without too much trouble I removed at least 4 quarts thru the dipstick tube. It was reading about 1/2 inch higher than the high line on the dipstick so that seemed about right. That's where where my confusion starts. After adding just 2 quarts I was already back to the same spot on the dipstick. The engine sits at quite an angle and I could see where the rectangular box where the forward/reverse lever was mounted was much lower and I suppose could easily hold one quart. But still.... how does 4 quarts out and 2 back in reach the same level on the dipstick? I'm wondering if the dipstick is accurate at all and I'm still a quart or 2 low. Could it be that those extra 2 quarts of oil that I pumped out were spread out horizontally and only making a minimal impact on the dipstick? That dipstick by the way drops in loosely... no stop or rubber seal at the top the I have heard mentioned. Do I need to remove the transmission cover to see how much oil is really in there?
Thanks for any advice!
Jeff

[Dave Neptune]

Overfill mine too.

Jeff, my engine sits at quite an angle too, over 10 degrees. I keep my oil level about 1/2 above the full mark just for the extra capacity and cooling that offers. I add a quart when it reaches "the full line". I have encountered no problems with the higher show oil level in 29 years now.
Don't bother trying to get to the oil in the box not worth it. I extract through the dipstick hole with a piece of 1/4" copper tubing that is slightly curved to get the end to a deepest spot I can reach. I suck out between 4~5 qts and that includes my bypass filter assembly which holds about a qt.

Dave Neptune

[srfnmn]

Thanks Dave. Since its still a bit dark I think I will pump it out and add 3 quarts back in.