Oil Pump/Block Leak?

[Anteek29]

Seller of a '55 Bird with a 292 reports a small oil leak between the (external) oil pump and block. Must be a gasket there? If so, can it be serviced with engine in the car?

 

[Dobie Gillis]

Yes and yes. Pretty easy access on a passenger car, 'Birds may be tighter.

 

[dmsfrr]

This '55 T-Bird has an automatic and there's lots of room around the oil pump.
If the car is a stick shift there will be a clutch pedal cross-shaft and linkage next to the pump.

Three bolts hold the pump onto the block, 1 on top, 2 underneath.
A rubber sleeve seals the pick-up tube into the pump housing.
The oil pump drive shaft from the distributor and camshaft may come out with the pump, I don't remember.
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