How shallow could I make an engine sump?

[Morrisman]

James a stock small block chev sump was measured, with oil up to the full mark on the dip stick it was 4" from the crank centre line to the oil. General consensus is as soon as the engine is running half a gallon of that oil will be hanging up in the engine, raising the stock oil level half an inch is a max recommended in a SBC sump chop with a stock stroke crank, a windage tray would be good insurance against foaming.

Bob

I've only built but a few SBCs from the ground up, but one thing my old 'dad' in the Philippines taught me was to smooth and radius all the oil drain and return holes in the heads and cam valley, to aid oil return to the sump. Also to go over the block inside and out and remove burrs, sharp edges, loose casting dross etc.
It doesn't make any extra horsepower, but improves many other things. Every little helps.

I've heard of guys fitting 'high pressure' oil pumps and getting the oil light on, or no pressure on the gauge, because all the oil is up in the top end after a short while running.

 

[Bullet2012]

I will have a standard pressed sump available in about a week , yours if you want it, from a 2015 350 vortec
Give you something to experiment with

 

[Morrisman]

I will have a standard pressed sump available in about a week , yours if you want it, from a 2015 350 vortec
Give you something to experiment with

Thanks for the offer, but getting it to my gaff would be a bit of a chore, unless you could post it? I'd happily pay for p&p.