I couldn't say whether the 1983 oil pan hangs down below the level where the
crossbar would be.  I haven't tried it in a van using the 1982 carrier bars.
If I do, I will definitely post my findings.

Mike Snow

<snip>

Maybe there is more difference between the oil pans than we think.  I
performed the same test you did this past summer and recorded different
results.  I posted these results to the list in November, 2000 :

http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0011D&L=vanagon&P=R16837

I just tested again (the oil pan is still off!).  At 2.75 qts the water
begins to run over the rear left lip of the oil pan.  Maybe the 5 speed oil
pan is deeper (does the elimination of the flat steel crossbar permit
this?).

<snip>