Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec Oil Pickup Issues

I had a few extra minutes tonight after heading home today to visit my parents, so I had hopes of swapping over the 2.5L pickup and oil pan.

It looks like my freak 3.0L has struck once again. 2000 3.0L Oil pan's are different than the 2.5L. (I was hoping I got lucky like DanG did)

The 2.5L pickup bracket misses the windage tray stud completly, as seen here:

The 2.5L pickup also hits another windage tray stud, not allowing it to seat properly in the oil pump.

This got me to thinking the 3.0L pickup may work as they look very similar, and have the same sump location in the pans:


This would solve the issue of securing the pickup properly, but under further inspection, it appears the 3.0L pickup will be about .5" deeper in the sump than the 2.5L unit.
Here is a pic showing the overall height difference:


And finially a pic of the 3.0L pickup fitting properly:


My options:
Modify 2.5L pickup. Cut off a portion of the stud the pickup tube is hitting, and bend/cut the bracket to allow the pickup to be secured properly.

Modify 3.0L pickup. Bend the pickup tube so it does not sit as low in the sump, allowing proper clearance with the oil pan.

What would you do/ or have done?
Does anyone know the proper distance needed between the bottom of the pickup and the oil pan?

Before final assembly I will use some modelers clay to help determine the distance between the pan and pickup.

TIA,

Matt

Your problem is that you're trying to use the 2.5 pick up tube on the 3L windage tray. You will need to use the 2.5 windage tray to mount the pickup tube properly with the OEM hardware and brackets.

To mount the 2.5 windage tray, you will have to change the location of one or more of the outer main cradle studs so that the holes of the 2.5 windage tray line up correctly. Remember that these are TTY one time use bolts that should be replaced.

I used my 3l windage tray with no problem

I could of never gotten my 2000 2.5L windage tray to mount up to my 2001 3.0L girdle. The bolt holes, studs, everything was in a different location. I know of a few others with this same setup also. Not sure if Ford did something weird or not, but some windage trays DO NOT bolt up to all girdles out there.

Ok, guys, here's the deal:

There is no specific 2.5 windage tray or 3.0L windage tray. The Duratecs have always shared windage trays between the 2.5 & 3.0L. However, the 3.0L Taurus and 2.5L have always had different oil pans & pickup screens. Emphasis on only the Taurus, here.

Late in the 2000 model year with the launch of the 2001 3.0L Escape, a new windage tray was released to reduce oil aeration. This new YL8E windage tray is now used on all 2.5 & 3.0L engines (Mondeo, Cougar, Escape, MPV, Mazda 6, Taurus) except the Jags & Lincolns which have their own special windage tray.

Now, the new YL8E windage tray bolts down differently as well. There are 2 6mm nuts on the front & rear of the engine (4 total) and 4 8mm nuts on the middle of the engine. The old baffle had the 4 6mm nuts front & rear plus one in middle for the pickup screen. There are a few new main bolts now which have an 8mm stud on the end instead of a 6mm stud.

Here's a rundown of the parts:
2.5L Before Upgrade:
F5DE Windage Tray, F63E Pickup, F73E Oil Pan

3.0L Taurus Before Upgrade:
F5DE Windage Tray, F5DE Pickup, F7DE Oil Pan

2.5 & 3.0L Non-Taurus After Upgrade:
YL8E Windage Tray, YL8E Pickup, YL8E Oil Pan

3.0L Taurus After Upgrade:
YL8E Windage Tray, 1F1E Pickup, F7DE Oil Pan

Remember, the 3.0L Taurus always has a unique pan & pickup, I suppose for packaging issues.

The F73E and YL8E pans are practically the same. Last year, they switched from the YL8E pan to a 2S7E pan which has these 2 rib/baffle things at the front of the pan. Now, the 2S7E has been changed to a 3M4E pan. The 3M4E pan is the same as the 2S7E pan with a different internal baffle. The newer baffle is smaller around the edges, looks like it would let the oil drain back better from the sides of the pan.

The F73E, YL8E, 2S7E, and 3M4E pans all have the same depth to the point where the pickup sits.

The F63E and YL8E pickups tubes have the same depth to the bottom of the pan. However, the YL8E is made to bolt to a slightly different location on the windage tray. Remember those new 8mm main bolts I talked about? This is why I would not recommed bending the bracket to fit a different location. I don't think you'll be able to get everything to line up correctly.

My advice:
Buy the new bolts, so you can use the YL8E windage tray. Just ask for a set of 2001+ main bolts. This will require you to use the YL8E pickup as well. Use the old or new pan since the actual pickup location is the same. My preference is the 3M4E pan. They don't spend lots of money to revise these things for no reason, especially with their current financial situation.

FINALLY someone who can back up what I have said before....

Anyhow I already did mine and I can get it to bolt down flush with no problems, i did have to cut, bend, grind, drill, that bracket but it does sit flush without any type of forcing to get it to bolt down.....