oil drain idea.

[Zorm]

The next time anyone is under their truck with the 360/90, can you measure the distance drain plug is from the back edge of the cross member and from either the bottom of the drivers side motor mount or where the cross member starts to bend up. I would measure mine but I already removed the engine and not sure where the drain plug sits, about.

My thought is to make a spillway of sorts for the oil to run down vise it running onto and all over the cross member. I have a 09 Nissan Titan that has something like that going fwd of its cross member and it keeps the oil contained, its under the oil filter and it nice to not make a mess.

Maybe make the one for the truck higher on the one side to stop the first rush of oil out the pan, just thinking.

[sargentrs]

Check out this drain plug with a shut off valve. Has a nipple you can attach a hose to clear the crossmember.
https://fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65249

http://fumotousa.com

[Zorm]

I did not see that, a great fix, less messy. I like the fact of leaving a short hose on it, maybe even, if space permits, extending that lever a little. humm.. may go that rout, thanks sargentrs!

[sargentrs]

[generalee]

Check out a 04-08 F150 4WD. They have a plastic tray that does exactly what you described. Might find one in boneyard where engine has been removed. Although no one wants a 3v 5.4 at any price. Cross member is different but might be an easy fit.

[Mach428]

I simply take a piece of heavy cardboard and fold into a V, then hold it under the drain plug. This directs the oil into a pan in front of the cross member.

[Jacksdad]

I made a simple scoop out of sheet metal. I position it so the balance point has it sitting at an angle, with the wider end resting up against the pan and the other end hanging down past the back edge of the crossmember. It gets wiped off after each oil change and stored behind the bench seat. Saves a lot of mess and took a few minutes to make. I used it last weekend and didn't spill a drop.

Oil funnel.jpg

[crazyhorse]

I enjoy all the good ideas/information/short cuts.
Thank you all for the good information.

Jacksdad, I used one of the old aluminum pans that my wife stopped using and did about the same as you did. I can shape the pan with my hands so it will work.

Later I took the drill and with a hole saw bit , drilled a hole in the crossmember big enough for my socket to fit through and now it is no problem. I can put my drain pan under my truck and remove the oil pan drain plug and put it back in through the hole I drilled in the crossmember with no oil mess.

[Zorm]

Yes, these forums are great! Jacksdad, that's exactly what my original thought was but to mount it to the cross member, still might go that rout.

[Zorm]

if anyone cares, ended up going the rout that sargentrs suggested. Got that spring loaded valve, got a little bit of heater hose clamped on to the nipple and hanging just below the cross member. Works great and no more oily mess on the cross member.

[tsherry]

I use a cut up milk jug.