A.R.E wet sump/oil pan early on zetec question

[Cueball1]

Is anyone familiar with the cast aluminum wet sump oil pan from Armstrong Race Engineering?  They no longer make it and the company has not responded to my inquiries.  It's looks similar to the Raceline pan. 

 

The bottom of the oil dipstick in the Cincy Birkin is broken off.   I don't remember that being the case when I checked oil when it first arrived.  Afraid it's floating around in the pan.  Need to pull it.

 

Wondering if there is anything special I need to know, what gasket they use plus it's oil capacity.  I can put back in the amount it has but I have no idea if that's full or not with the broken dipstick. 

 

Anyone have any experience with them?  Was installed around 2005.  

Edited September 16, 2023 by Cueball1

[MV8]

I'd buy a new 2000-2004 dipstick for a ford focus (about $12 from Dorman), then use that as is to determine the correct oil level to top off the pan to after running the engine. I expect you will find a standard focus "upper" pan gasket, which is molded rubber and anti-crush washers imbedded to prevent over tightening that would extrude the rubber.

  Before pulling the pan, insert the standard dipstick to see if it bottoms out before seating on the tube. If it bottoms (shallower than oem pan), they probably cut the tip off for clearance, leaving only the full mark hole as a reference.

[Mark Bondurant]

I have the ARE wet sump as well, from 2004. What did you find as far as gasket, if anything? That looks like a pretty slick skid plate system you have under it. Is that Custom? Did you find that somewhere? I am using the front differential skid plate from a Chevy three-quarter ton four-wheel-drive suburban, attached to the front crossmember with torsion rod supports from a speed shop. So far, no holes in the sump. My stock Zech started blowing lots of oily smoke and I had a failure in number four-cylinder, but the head is fine and it doesn’t look like a blow gasket so I may finally put the SVT engine in that I have had around for a long time. Thanks for any info on the gasket . 

Mark Bondurant

 

[Cueball1]

I contacted ARE for their recommendations. I bought a high quality aftermarket gasket for a standard focus. Also a stock focus dipstick. ARE says it's a 5 quart pan and 5 quarts read full on the dipstick so it seems all is good.  With so much aftermarket on and in my motor I was expecting to have to use more exotic parts!  

 

Sorry to hear about the engine trouble!  That svt motor should be fun though.  😉

Edited August 10 by Cueball1

[Mark Bondurant]

Thanks for the info! I have a few other variables too, specifically that I am adding side draft Jenvey throttle bodies, and I’ll have to reprogram the engine map on the Emerald ECU. It’s been ….a while…since I did that the first time with the stock Zetec. Now if I could just get the lightweight flywheel off….

I’ll look for that gasket today