Drain plug location

[franbev]

The factory service manual for our '74 Ascona (with the '75 supplement) shows the engine drain plug is on the passenger side of the front of the oil pan. In fact, the drain plug is in the center of the oil pan. Were there different oil pans available with differing drain plug locations?

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by franbev The factory service manual for our '74 Ascona (with the '75 supplement) shows the engine drain plug is on the passenger side of the front of the oil pan. In fact, the drain plug is in the center of the oil pan. Were there different oil pans available with differing drain plug locations?

The steel oil pans have a center drain plug, but early aluminum pans have the plug on the passenger side. Most of the photos from the service manuals are from early models unless they depict specific changes or features like updated emission controls or 5 mph bumpers for example. Below are some photos of the early pan.

Bill