426 Hemi Oil Capacity: How Much Oil Does your Hemi Need?
The Chrysler engineers changed some details during the production run of the 426 Hemi. One of those changes was the oil capacity of the engine. Let’s answer, what was the 426 Hemi oil capacity?
The 426 Hemi oil capacity was 6 quarts, five quarts for the oil pan and one for the filter, from 1966 to 1969. For 1970 and 1971, the oil capacity was 7 quarts, 6 quarts for the oil pan and 1 for the filter.
This article will explain why there are different capacities. In addition, why you shouldn’t add the factory capacity for your Hemi year without verifying some facts first.
426 Hemi Oil Capacity
The Hemi oil capacity is one of the Mopar mysteries to some people. There are all sorts of different answers out there depending on who you ask. The reasons why you’ll get different answers is explained down further in the article.
For now let’s answer the question, how much oil does a 426 Hemi Take? The following table contains how many quarts of oil a 426 Hemi needs:
| Hemi Production Year | 426 Hemi Oil Capacity |
| 1966-1969 | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
Therefore, all 426 Hemi cars produced in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969 take 6 quarts of oil. All 426 Hemi cars produced in 1970 and 1971 takes 7 quarts of oil.
Oil Capacity for Each Chrysler Hemi Car Produced
The following table lists each 426 Hemi car, the year, model and their oil capacity:
| Hemi Production Year and Model | 426 Hemi Oil Capacity |
| 1966-1969 Dodge Coronet | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970 Dodge Coronet | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1966-1967 Plymouth Belvedere | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1966-1967 Plymouth Satellite | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1966-1969 Dodge Charger | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 Dodge Charger | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1967-1969 Plymouth GTX | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 Plymouth GTX | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1968-1969 Dodge Super Bee | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 Dodge Super Bee | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1968-1969 Plymouth Road Runner | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 Plymouth Road Runner | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1969 Dodge Charger 500 | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1969 Dodge Daytona | 6 Quart Oil Capacity 5 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970 Plymouth Superbird | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 Plymouth Cuda | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
| 1970-1971 Dodge Challenger R/T | 7 Quart Oil Capacity 6 qt. oil pan plus 1 qt. for oil filter |
Hemi Big Block Oil Pan
The street Hemi had two different oil pans. The engine’s oil pan changed in 1970. From 1966 to 1969 the oil pan had a 5 quart capacity. For 1970 and 1971 the oil pan was changed to a 6 quart oil pan.
In high-performance applications increasing oil capacities are recommended. It provides more oil, lubrication and lowers oil temperature.
It’s important to remember a 5 quart pan does not equal a 5-quart capacity. Typically, an extra quart is added for the oil filter as per Chrysler’s recommendations.
Find out all the engine’s specs in my article, Hemi Specifications – Complete Engine Specs.
Oil Pan Changes and Pickup Tube
If you’re the original owner or if your big block Hemi car is low mileage with extensive documentation, more than likely the oil pan hasn’t been changed.
In this situation, you’d be pretty safe adding the amount of oil recommended for your year car. Even though, you should always verify the correct oil level.
Many big block Chrysler engines have been raced, modified, blown up or rebuilt over the years, especially the Hemi. The oil pan currently on your engine may not be the original. Also, the engine may not be the year you think it is.
In addition, other Chrysler big block oil pans fit the engine also.
Many aftermarket companies sell reproduction oil accessories, kits and components. I’ve noticed some of their posts don’t specify the size of the oil pans, just years. There really should be more warning about this.
There are so many reasons why the pan may have been changed. Verifying how big your 426 Hemi oil pan is should be a top priority.
If the pan has been changed from a five to six quart, they should have changed the oil pump pickup tube and screen also.
The pump pickup tubes are different for each pan.
Also, you can never disregard that someone installed a 5-quart pan on a 1970 or 1971 engine.
Read more oil capacity articles:
Find out about the intake manifold specs in my article, 426 Hemi Intake Manifold Torque Specs.
If you have any questions or if you have more information you’d like to contribute, send us an email found on our contact page.
I learned about the 426, Hemi and oil capacities by reading Mopar books, articles, magazines, seminars and watching videos for approximately 37 years.
Read More Hemi Articles
What Problems Did the 426 Have? Street and Race Hemi
Is a Hemi a Big Block or Small Block?
426 Hemi Miles Per Gallon: Each Year and Model
Article Resources
- Google books: How to Rebuild and Modify Chrysler 426 Hemi Engines
- Google Books: Chrysler Engines 1922-1998
- Google Books: Hemi
- Wikipedia: Chrysler Hemi engine
Somewhere in all my stuff, I have a copy of the Chrysler engineering drawing for the 66-69 Hemi pan. The part # didn’t change, but there were updates. I think there was one for when the windage tray was added in 68, to do with the baffles. Whatever it is, it isn’t obvious, and I’ve never had two pans side by side where I could say for sure what year car they came off. The indicator (dipstick) and tube were also revised I think. The tubes were often damaged and replaced when headers were installed or engines were removed. There have been so many reproductions made by now, some decent and some not, it would be very difficult to know for sure if your looking at original parts or not.
Hi Doug. Thanks for commenting!