Oil pump install challange

old31

Well-known member
I thought that I would pass this info along. Who knows it could happen to someone else.

I bought a car that wasn't running. Before I was to drop the pan, I went to install my oil pump bolt first. But there was a screw already installed and it was flush with the block. I tried to loosen it, but it was frozen. I tried heat, impact, and liquid; nothing would move it.

I then drilled and tried an easy out, but then the easy out broke, and none of it was sticking out. I took the pan out, and the pump fell out.

So the dilemma was how to get the pump up without installing a pump bolt.

So, I took some Permatex red and glued the pump up to the block. It actually stayed. Then I installed the pan and as they say, life is good, and the engine is running.
 
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That "bolt" has nothing to do with securing the oil pump to the engine. It is simply a plug to seal an oil passage. The pump is held in place by the pressure from the spring on its bottom pressing against the oil pan.
 
That port is made for a small pipe plug with tapered pipe thread. It's not uncommon to find a bolt with straight threads locked in there due to a shade tree DIY guy that didn't recognize what it was. It's simply a plug for the cross drill process during manufacture.

The parts sources generally all have the little tool that screws in there and has a smaller straight threaded screw to retain the pump during pan installation while in situ. Here is a link.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=978837&cat=41694
 
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I thought that I would pass this info along. Who knows it could happen to someone else.

I bought a car that wasn't running. Before I was to drop the pan, I went to install my oil pump bolt first. But there was a bolt already installed. I tried to loosen it, but it was frozen. I tried heat, impact, and liquid; nothing would move it.

I then drilled and tried an easy out, but then the easy out broke, and none of it was sticking out. I took the pan out, and the pump fell out.

So the dilemma was how to get the pump up without installing a pump bolt.

So, I took some Permatex red and glued the pump up to the block. It actually stayed. Then I installed the pan and as they say, life is good, and the engine is running.

That "bolt" has nothing to do with securing the oil pump to the engine. It is simply a plug to seal an oil passage. The pump is held in place by the pressure from the spring on its bottom pressing against the oil pan.

And the "Bolt" should have pipe threads. I have seen many regular "bolts" with the incorrect thread screwed in that hole.
 
I just do not get why there is so much concern that the pump drops out when the pan is dropped . Now is the time to service the pump check for wear replace bushes and shafts /gears etc etc . When replacing the pan I hold the pump up by a long cable tie looped through the two adjacent pan bolt holes and around the back of the top pump body . This holds the pump securely as you replace the pan . When the pan is nearly home clip the cable tie and pull it clear . I have done this many times works just fine for me .
e
John in sunny Chandler AZ lovely long range snow biird weather
 
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I just do not get why there is so much concern that the pump drops out when the pan is dropped . Now is the time to service the pump check for wear replace bushes and shafts /gears etc etc . When replacing the pan I hold the pump up by a long cable tie looped through the two adjacent pan bolt holes and around the back of the top pump body . This holds the pump securely as you replace the pan . When the pan is nearly home clip the cable tie and pull it clear . I have done this many times works just fine for me .
e
John in sunny Chandler AZ lovely long range snow biird weather

Excellent advice.
 
The couple of times that I needed to drop the pan I took an 1/8" pipe plug, drilled and tapped the center for a screw and used that to hold the pump in place. You screw the plug in the hole in the side of the block, then run in whatever screw you choose to tap in the plug, snug it against the pump and you're good to go.
 
I hope you were sparing with the permatex and applied only the thinnest coating with no excess oozing out of the seams. If a chunk were to break off and work it's way up to an oil passage.... Also, after all that drilling and the broken ez out, I'm surprised you don't have an oil leak at the plug. I wish you good luck!
 
The couple of times that I needed to drop the pan I took an 1/8" pipe plug, drilled and tapped the center for a screw and used that to hold the pump in place. You screw the plug in the hole in the side of the block, then run in whatever screw you choose to tap in the plug, snug it against the pump and you're good to go.

See post #6
 
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