I've never opened an engine before, not even drop an oil pan. What's in the sump? Is it just where oil collects?

I've noticed that my 1st gen sump is bigger than my 2nd gen's. And both their sumps are at the back of the pan. On the other hand, on the 440 big block the sump is at the front.

All of this are going in my head because I'm taking dimensions for my Cummins 4x4 drivetrain swap to the Class A motorhome. I'm concerned that the sump may get in the way of the front differential and I may have to "relocate"/re-fab the sump somehow to avoid too much lift for the motorhome.

Edit: it looks like the oil pan is reversible. I'd have to replace the pickup tube with a front style tube from Cummins. i don't know yet what has to be done with the oil dipstick.

 

From my twins install mess . . .














Hope this helps.

 

Wow, complete with great pics. THANKS!!!

So the only thing in there is the pickup tube. What's that hole on the side of the sump for?

 

The oil pan is in fact reversible. You will just need the correct pickup tube from Cummins.

BC's oil pan has an extra hole for the drain line off the second turbo.

 

How hard is it to remove the oil pan with the motor still in the truck? looks like it'd be a little tight?

Also I've wondered why our sumps are bigger and hold more oil than the 2nd gens? I noticed that when i changed the oil in my grandpas 24 valve.