A member of RG #9 had repeat problems with a rebuilt 8BA. Turned out that the new aftermarket oil pump did not seat into the block properly. It was leaking from beneath the 'flat' mounting flange! Found it by pressurizing the oil with the pan off and the engine upside down on a stand. Lost bearings two times!! Not a FORD manufactured pump!! Newc
I had a brand-new pump from Speedway with the issue of the bottom flange not covering the oil pump hole - luckily, I caught the issue before the engine was completely assembled. It looked like a design or casting flaw.
Needless to say, it went back to Speedway and I found an original 49-53 Ford pump.
All the mains are chewed to pieces in this engine. I would be scared to use this new pump.
I don’t have enough knowledge to do a proper forensic on what happened. Every main and rod surface chewed up on the mercury crank.