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[porthole]

There is a lot of hype about Baker's +1 oil pan. Some think it is overkill - not worth the expense - doesn't really do what it says  yada yada yada.

Here is my take from looking into it  - and using it.

This picture, from another thread, is only one version of the pan, and the much more expensive version.
Bakers claim is three fold, 1) it is a quart larger in capacity, 2) they claim better cooling - the pan does have more surface area. Their claim is about 10 degrees cooler. 3) better oil circulation because the pan has better baffles and changes the pick area, as opposed to the MoCo's version which dumps and picks up oil in the front of the pan.

The first two items are correct, the 3rd is a bit of a misnomer. Although, they are not "incorrect" in their statement.



The picture below is the trans case and the stock oil pan, with the baffle installed

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This is looking up. the front of the trans is down, on  the bench.

You are looking at the the two ports where the engine oil goes in and out

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If you look at the right side of the engine between the engine and trans case, there are two hoses. The upper hose is the oil return from the engine and the lower hoes is the oil supply to the pump.

Briefly (and with some missing areas) the TC oil pump picks up oil from the pan, sends it through the cam plate out to the oil pressure sending unit, through the filter, and if equipped to the oil cooler. I think this part is key, the oil is cooled after it is pumped but before it is sent through the engine. Given the choice I would rather have the oil cooled after exiting the engine.

After the oil cooler, the oil runs back into the engine up into the heads and back down to the crank where the scavenge side of the pump sends it back to the pan. At least that is what I recall from reading the oiling system in the manual.

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Baker's claim is that the MoCo way of oiling dumps and picks up the oil in the same location at the front of the pan and that the Baker +1 dumps in the front and pick up in the rear of the pan.
Technically this is true, but not exactly the final outcome.

With both pans the oil is returned from the engine at the front of the pan. From the picture above the oil is returned from the top hose and just dumps into the front of the pan.



The picture below shows both pans.
As you can see the Baker on the left uses cast in place baffles and the MoCo uses a plastic baffle which is spring loaded tight against the bottom of the oil pan.

When the oil dumps into MoCo pan it has to migrate to the rear of the baffle (bottom of picture below). The baffle sits tight against the bottom but it snot a perfect fit. There are openings along the side of the baffle and the rear portion is completely open.

So, in theory, with the MoCo pan the oil dumps in the front, migrates to the rear as oil is pumped out from the front pickup port.

Some oil has to get by the baffle but probably not that much.

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This shows where the oil is picked up.
Oil feed to the pump is through the raised boss on the bottom of the oil pan.

Although it is obvious the oil is picked up from the rear with the Baker, the oil must migrate to the rear with the MoCo pan before it is picked up.

So, Baker's claim is correct, although a little misleading in my opinion.

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Another difference.
The baker and factory pan have different drain plug locations. I forgot to check to see if the o-rings where the same  I hope so, I have a dozen hanging in the parts locker.

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Something else to keep in mind as it relates to oil temp.

With the oil sending units mounted in the pan they are bathed in oil AFTER it goes through the pump, oil filter, cooler, engine, top end, back into pan, across the pan and then finally the oil pick up location.
The sending unit is located in the boss that feeds the oil pump, most likely the coolest location for the oil.

I don't know where the MoCo version of the sending unit goes (one of the hoses I think), but if it is in the top return hose that is probably the most accurate location.





This picture below and the next show the MoCo pickup with and without the baffle.

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Comparison shots

Front

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Rear

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The bosses you see on the Baker are for an Alloy Art Stabilizer and most likely the Bagger Brace version when it is released.

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Forgot to take a before picture

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Is it worth it? I don't know only you can decide if it is.

How much did you spend on suspension upgrades, how about stereo upgrades, how much more chrome did you add to a bike that came fully chromed etc.

The pan shown here is the cheapest version. I found it online for $365 delivered to my door. It came with drain plugs, gasket and all new screws.

Yes it is "only" 1 quart more, but the reality is, that it is a 20% increase in capacity.
For me it is worth the the extra capacity.
If I could I would add a bigger pan to my Duramax diesel that only holds 10 quarts of oil.

I have read that the pan is an alternative to the higher compression and or stroker engines that have a tendency to blow out the dipsticks or puke oil in other places.

The larger pan allows you to stay with 4 quarts and have the extra "room" for the the big "air pump" to work.


Ever have oil spit back at you while filling the pan?
This could be part of the problem. The entry hole into the pan is much smaller then the oil fill hole.

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OK, the road test. Haven't really had a warm day yet to compare, will know for sure when I have the 95+ day.

If I recall though, it does seem to be a bit cooler. What I did notice is that the temp drops pretty quick while sitting. These bikes always seem to have the oil down cool fairly quick when stopped, but it now seems much quicker.

There is a sizable difference is size that is "in the air".

Also, with the increase in cooling you have to be aware of the increase in warm up time.

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This pan is available in silver, black and a billet two piece version, chromed or polished ($$$)

For the price of the billet version you could probably have the cast version chromed and have one less gasket to worry about.

http://www.bakerdrivetrain.com/flt/index.htm#p1p