Windage Trays

[windycity1]

I am in the process of changing the oil pan on my Merlin 540 engine and need to decide if a windage tray should be installed. I could use any info on the subject to help me with the decision. Thanks.

[ohcbird]

If you have the room, then yes. BBCs respond very well to good oil control, as there is a lot swinging around inside there.

But...

1. What pan are you running?
2. Do you know what is in there? Maybe you have a crank scraper...
3. Do you have the room? You should, as a 540 isn't such a crazy stroke setup that there is no room in there.

[windycity1]

I have a Milodon pan on there now with no tray. I purchased the Milodon tray with the diamond screen.

[Vegas69]

I would call the oil pan manufacturer. A 540 has 4.25 stroke and maxes out many pans on the market.

[GregWeld]

I'm running one on my 427 SMALL block... can't imagine NOT running one actually - the more crank you have swinging around the more you need some oil control... IMHO

[ohcbird]

If you already have the basic screen, you should start with that. Like Vegas69 said, you're going to want to make sure it clears. Most rod bolt heads / nuts on 4.25" cranks hit the screen type trays, but they are easily modified.

[windycity1]

The Milodon pan that I am using is the same one that originally came on the engine, so it should be okay.