Installing The Oil Pan

johnr9q@yahoo.com

johnr9q@yahoo.com

Senior Member
In reading about installing the oil pan they say I need to secure the oil pump by screwing a machine screw into a 1/8" pipe thread or some such. My oil pump is still secure in the same place where it was when I took the pan off, doesen't seem to me like I need to do anything with the oil pump?
 
It needs to be immobilized some way to keep it situated upward in its bore and secure against the block. While easing the pan up into place it's almost impossible not to snag against the pump with the dipper tray at least a little. This can cause the pump to drop down and away from its locating pin if it's not held somehow. It's important to keep it secure on the locating pin.

If nothing else, have a helper push a long, slender screwdriver or ice pick into the hole in the side of the block and hold some pressure against the pump to keep it from cocking or dropping down until you seat the pan securely. The spring will hold it once you're there.
 
Have you had the pump out while the pan has been off? if not, would be a good time to at the minimum check the intake screen at the bottom of the pump. The vendors sell a tool for holding the pump in place while removing and installing the pan. There is a 1/8 th pipe plug RHS, center of block, a couple inches up from pan gasket surface.
Be good to see what kind of plug someone has installed.

I made my pump holding tool out of a 1/8th brass pipe coupler, drilled and tapped 1/4-20 through the center. Then threaded in a 1/4-20 thumb screw. Works great.
 
Here is my pump holding tool, made from junk box parts.
 

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If the pump is still in the block it may be stuck there. Some aftermarket pumps have a way to fasten the pump to the block with one or more screws. In any case, it is best to remove it for inspection and cleaning and to replace any worn out parts.
 
You can use a length of safety wire wrapped around the pump shaft and tied off outside of the oil pan , start the bolts on the pan pull the wire out finish tightening the pan bolts
 
If your pump is stuck in there good and doesn't start to fall out when installing the pan, you can get away without securing it with that tool. One handy suggestion for installing the pan is to turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction. This causes the tie rod to shift forward, making it so you don't have to maneuver the front edge of the pan over the tie rod as much.
 
Be sure you have the spring in place under the pump to hold it up after the pan is installed, and don't forget the dipper tray. :)
 
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