Center drag link hitting oil pan 69 Charger

[85Bears]

Hi. I just purchased a 1969 Charger 440 - it has power steering. I noticed the center drag bar is rubbing on the oil pan.

I replaced the oil pan w a stock 5 quart and when I went to put the center link back it still rubs.

questions...

1) Can someone please send me a link to buy the correct one?

2) Is there a difference if I 180 degree swap the bar around? I only took off the passenger side (idler and the other bolt) and swung it to the side to get the pan off. If I swap the ends could that be the issue? If I disconnect the driver side now and put it on the passenger side will that make a difference? Maybe it’s installed wrong?

help please

 

[mobileparts]

There is no "place" to buy one -- because it is a
Non - Wear Item. It is four holes -- the pivots in the holes are on the two inner tie rods, and the idler arm
(Passenger side) and the Pitman Arm (Drivers side -- to the gear box)...
I have all of those parts -- BRAND NEW , American Made, if you need or want.....

Maybe someone will chime in with some help, as far as your rub situation. I can't help you there.

Yours, Craig.....

 

[Chargered]

Do you have the correct oil pan. You should be using the 402 oil pan.

https://www.manciniracing.com/marabigbl402.html

http://www.brewersperformance.com/products.php?cat=290&pg=2

 

[85Bears]

@Craig - if I need a new drag link how much is it? Not sure if I need one yet but if I do I’d be interested in possibly buying it from you.

@Chargered this is the one I bought it looks like the 402... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Block-...00-413-426-440-B-RB-Oil-Pan-BBM-/332552563772

Thank you for the quick replies. I hope to get this fixed it’s keeping me up at night. I want to drive this beauty and can’t. :/

 

[gkent]

Is there a difference if I 180 degree swap the bar around?

Absolutely ... but it should be obvious looking at the bar as to whether swapping it around will do you any good.

It can only go in one of two ways due to the taper on the studs. The correct way will clear the pan - the wrong way ... I don't think it will clear the pan enough to even get it on the studs.

 

[Ernie ingling]

U think worn sagging motor mounts might be the problem?

 

[85Bears]

Hi! Motor mounts look to be ok / new.

I’ll try to swap the bar around 180 degrees later today.

I also am going to try a new idler arm too just to cross that off the list.
I can’t wait until this problem is gone. Lol.

 

[69Bee]

You ebay pan is Chinese all day long, and looks too deep in the rear. Original pan is a 4 qt pan with a shallower rear sump area. The rear sump is 1.56" deep from pan rail to bottom of sump for 8.52" from rear to beginning of main sump.

 

[91r/t]

@Craig - if I need a new drag link how much is it? Not sure if I need one yet but if I do I’d be interested in possibly buying it from you.

@Chargered this is the one I bought it looks like the 402... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Block-...00-413-426-440-B-RB-Oil-Pan-BBM-/332552563772

Thank you for the quick replies. I hope to get this fixed it’s keeping me up at night. I want to drive this beauty and can’t. :/

You ebay pan is Chinese all day long, and looks too deep in the rear. Original pan is a 4 qt pan with a shallower rear sump area. The rear sump is 1.56" deep from pan rail to bottom of sump for 8.52" from rear to beginning of main sump.

View attachment 917909

@69Bee hit the nail on the head. I too have a 68 Charger with a 440 and my pan was rubbing the center drag link. It was ever so slightly rubbing and drove me nuts. I compared it to the stocker and sure enough it was deeper in the front section. I had one of those Chinese knock offs too and it was not correct. I bought a 6qt. hemi pan and never looked back. Fit correct and no issues. It is definitely that pan and its depth in the front section causing you grief! I am running the Milodon version, but either will work for you for sure. Nice having the extra oil capacity or you can run the stock 402 pan. Either will work. I included the link to both hemi pans and a pics.


https://www.manciniracing.com/ststheoilpa62.html

https://www.jegs.com/i/Milodon/697/30761/10002/-1?

 

[85Bears]

69 bee thank you for that! that may be it - I will buy one and remove the one i just put on and filled w oil - sigh. lol

the one i have is about 2.5" in the back....

 

[Demonic]

When a new part is too good a deal to pass up (cheap), it is often like manure, I have found.

 

[khryslerkid]

@Craig - if I need a new drag link how much is it? Not sure if I need one yet but if I do I’d be interested in possibly buying it from you.

@Chargered this is the one I bought it looks like the 402... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Block-...00-413-426-440-B-RB-Oil-Pan-BBM-/332552563772

Thank you for the quick replies. I hope to get this fixed it’s keeping me up at night. I want to drive this beauty and can’t. :/

Same shape pan I used on my '62 and it's almost rubbing, 440 Source. Measures over 2" in that area. I'm changing it.

 

[gkent]

Just remember ... the manufacturing specs for that Chinese pan were supplied by an American !!!

 

[85Bears]

Update / ordered 402 pan from Mancini. Spoke w Rob there - very helpful. I measured the area where drag link hits pan and from engine to bottom of the pan it’s about 3”. He said the 402 pan they have is about 2” at that location.
Once I get it this week I’ll let you know the outcome.

also good news - I bought a new idler arm from Autozone down the street and installed it and I have clearance!! Not as much as I would like but that will improve with the 402 pan (fingers crossed). The old idler arm provides zero clearance and hit the pan. You can’t even tighten the nut on the end. So the idler arm was definitely a problem and is now solved. Thanks again to all that have helped out. Stay tuned for 402 results from Mancini once I get and install it.

 

[mobileparts]

And, of course, an AutoZone Idler Arm is very Chineseum (and may already have the coronavirus).
You ever want to change it -- and go USA, I always have them.....

 

[440 4 speed]

The 187 C body pan will also work.

 

[91r/t]

Just remember ... the manufacturing specs for that Chinese pan were supplied by an American !!!

Unless a Chinese spy found a 69 Charger and grabbed some quick measurements with the wrong end of the tape measure!

 

[Demonic]

Just remember ... the manufacturing specs for that Chinese pan were supplied by an American !!!

I doubt that, actually. Some business organization sent them a pan and they copied it. Poorly, apparently. Probably with something worse than a metric 6ft folding rule. Look in a 60's-70 FSM. There's specs to 4 decimal places. Overseas parts are lucky if they're spec'd to two, likely with .100" tolerance.

I'd rather walk through a rainy swap meet then buy a foreign reproduction part. I know there's little choice for certain things.

 

[Outlaw525]

Hi! Motor mounts look to be ok / new.

I’ll try to swap the bar around 180 degrees later today.

I also am going to try a new idler arm too just to cross that off the list.
I can’t wait until this problem is gone. Lol.

Your draglink should look like this and the curve goes towards the rear. It can be installed 180 out and may rub on the pan. The Roadrunner that I recently got had that exact issue.

 

[85Bears]

Happy Friday gentleman!

update I got the 402 pan but it won’t fit with the oil pickup tube. So I’m in the process of getting the correct one.

question - my block was made in 1969 per the casting. Will the 402 pan clear the stock rods and crank journals?

If yes I’m good, and just need to locate and buy the correct pickup tube and I’ll be all set. Boom!

the saga continues