I rebuilt my 302 a couple months ago and only have about 2500 miles on it. When i rebuilt it i changed the oil pan out because the drain plug was stripped. Soon after putting everything back together i noticed the pan was cracked on the front corner of the drivers side. i thought it might have been a factory defect.Tonight i raised the engine and pulled the old one out and put in another new one. after tightening all the bolts and lowing back down i noticed that this pan was cracked in the exact same spot as the other even though i double and triple checked for cracks before putting the new one on. Could it be that the main bearing at the front of the crank is pushing on the corner of the pan causing the crack? the oil pan is stock bought from O'Reilly auto parts. I'm at a loss. btw it SUCKS changing the oil pan without pulling the engine... won't make that mistake again.

 

the only thing it could be hitting to crack in that area is the oil pump bolts on the bottom pump plate!

I`m not sure why you would be having this issue though!

it isnt the main bearings cause they are under the caps, and the caps under the pump level and therefore cant be the issue!

did u use main stud kit or put factory or upgraded bolts in? but even then it should not affect the pan! are they giving u a double sump mustang oil pan or just a rear sump pan for a truck?