I agree with deuce roadster. Something does not seem right. I am not totally familiar with Ford oil pumps, however I am familiar with metering gear pumps. I have never seen a gear pump that did not have tight clearances between the gear faces and outer diameter and the pump body. Maybe I'm way off base but looking the photo I don't understand how this pump can pump anything. Are these the wrong gears in this pump?
Break-in gone wrong!
- Thread starter Cameron Koehn
- Start date
tubman
Well-known member
Those are not the oil pump gears, which are down in the oil pump in the engine sump. Those gears transfer the power from the rear of the camshaft to the actual oil pump.
The gears looked funny to me too, until I realized that there was an odd perspective in the photo. As soon as I got my eyes right the optical illusion of a "dished gear" went away.
rockfla
Well-known member
As Tubman pointed out, that the back of the block and the cam gear and Idler gear (for lack of a better term). I am fixing to install that part tonight on my engine as a matter of fact!!! And the oil pump!!
Kurt in NJ
Well-known member
if you stick the pickup in a pan of oil will the pump pump oil?
Bored&Stroked
Well-known member
Keep in mind that the little gear on the end of the cam might be slipping. You can probably tell by "holding the bigger gear" with something and have a friend manually turn the engine over. You'll then get to see if the cam gear is slipping. You can always check the relief valve in the pump - just to see if anything is fubared with it.
cadillac512
Well-known member
Yes, it is possible the pump lost prime. How much clearance did it have between gears and pump cover? If it had a gasket there, how thick was it? Some gaskets are way too thick and will cause a no-pressure condition due to inadequate "suction" on restart after a hot oil run period. I like to see .002-.007" clearance...lower number preferable if possible.
Cameron Koehn
Member
Thanks for the replies. I will get back to you all with results after more inspection.
Cameron Koehn
Member
The oil pump works when i turn it by hand in oil. I cannot make the cam gear spin. Maybe it was just a fluke??? I'm bamfoozled!
petehoovie
Well-known member
Cameron Koehn
Member
yes it clears by about a half inch
Cameron Koehn
Member
yes and I held the idler gear with a channellock pliars and turned the motor over and it forced the gear to turn. I could not hold it from turning.
aussie merc
Well-known member
its certainly odd but check the driving gear within the pump itself and make sure its positively locked to the shaft [keyway, dimple, weld, spline it doesn't matter ] but interference fit wont work for long . Cummins had major dramas with this in its Bigcam 3 series the pump gears would slip under load and oil pressure would disappear the fix was a new repair kit for the oil pump with keyed shaft and gear
Ken/Alabama
Well-known member
I’d change the pump since you have it out. Sounds like everything else has checked out but the pump is an easy change.
Cameron Koehn
Member
Is melling m-19 worth putting in? I kept the stock pump cause some said it would be better than a new unit... Definitely not opposed to putting a new one in. The Speedway unit is cheap, but you probably get what you pay for?
May want to check with Joe's Antique. I seem to recall he had a decent stock of US-made Mellings when they were still dependable pumps, but don't quote me on this.
https://www.joesantiqueauto.com
tubman
Well-known member
Here is my experience with a Speedway oil pump : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1628041&highlight=speedway#post1628041. I do not recommend them.
I believe "Ol' Ron" on this forum has expressed a dislike for Mellings pumps. I cannot speak for him; maybe he'll chime in.
From everything I have experienced and heard, a stock Ford pump is your best bet.
cadillac512
Well-known member
Cameron, did you have a chance to check the gear to cover clearance?