I got the CFR pan on this weekend. It fit pretty well, didn't have to lift the engine, big sigh of relief! The windage tray caused some trouble, it added just enough extra thickness that the pan was tight when sliding in, it would bind at the cross member because the back was hitting the trans. Wiggle, wiggle and some coaxing with a rubber mallet did the job. The gasket on the pan kept wanting to slide up into the front of the windage tray and would get caught on the tray. I cut a pop can apart and placed it over the end of the windage tray, so the pan would slide on it and not get caught.
The idler did hit the pan, but that was easily handled with a ball peen hammer. Didn't take much. Dented in an area about 2x2 by about 1/4" to 1/2".
OH, and what the heck is up with the stupid oil pan bolt that is right in the middle of the cross member and is murder to get to?? Don't put cap screws on your oil pan before installing it! Ouch. The cap screws look great and work great for the pan in every location BUT THAT ONE!
Joined: Sat Sep 23 2006, 04:30AM
Location: Sharpsburg, GA
Posts: 924
For those who don't know, Hotzone performance recently changed it's name to CFR. The E-bay store is still called Hotzone, but their website is now CFR.
Glad it worked without lifting the engine. That's good to know.
I ordered mine by phone, cause I needed to expidite it and needed confirmation. Went very smooth, and had a decent conversation with the guy about Mopars.
It wasn't pretty, but it did fit without lifting. My elbow still hasn't recovered from nearly 2 weeks ago now, when I whacked it into the cross member. Haven't felt pain like that for quite awhile!
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 11:07PM
Location: Chi Town
Posts: 12
I have a 187 pan that is rusted up high on on the first ledge, the bottom is solid enough to experiment with. I am willing to part with it if you need it. Cheap ! <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Mon Nov 12 2007, 12:13AM ]</span>
Joined: Sat Sep 23 2006, 04:30AM
Location: Sharpsburg, GA
Posts: 924
Now that I can see the situation first hand, there is no good way to modify it except to extend the center section straight down as others have done, 1 inch equals about 1 quart. The Hotzone pan is so cheap, It's almost not worth the effort.I think it's probably better just to leave the original pans original.