Kim,
While you're at it, ask around regarding the general use of
the "double hump" oil pan on the Camaro/Nova application in
general. What I'd like to know is this: GM obviously had
perceived a need to use the standard Camaro type oil pan
instead of the "Double hump" oil pan in the subframe cars.
Was this to allow the oil pan to be removed while the engine
was still in the car? Was that even a criteria back then?
This might explain why the Camaro/Nova applications use a
different oil pan. In line with this thought, can the
"double hump" oil pan be removed while the engine is still
in the car? As a kid, I remember replacing rear main seals
by jacking up the engine and shimmy-ing out the oil pan. I
can't remember if it needed to be rocked from side to side
during this R&R phase though. I suspect that the oil pan
in question might have clearance issues with the subframe
architecture.
To the best of my knowledge, all of the COPO Camaros and ZL-1's
received the standard Camaro BB oil pan, not the pan in
question here. As we have learned here in the past, the
Camaro ZL-1 engines did not use the windage tray due to oil
pan interference. Same holds true for the COPO's. So why
wouldn't GM, or any "day 2 dealers" install a better oil pan
if they could?
I'm not disputing what your research has brought to light.
Just so damn many questions.........
Steve