oil pump shield on B engine

[Geo. H]

I'm having a problem getting the oil pan back on my B engine (31 rdstr). It seems that the counterweights are hitting the oil pump shield, which probably got deformed when the pump fell down while I was trying to put the pan on yesterday. My questions: what function does the shield serve? Would I be creating a problem if I left it off?

On my car I have to get the nose of the pan past the front cross member before I can get the back end up in place. It's always a battle. Any words of wisdom? I just jacked up the car, drained the oil, dropped the wishbone, and pulled the pan in 45 minutes. It takes three hours to get it back on, and i need a helper on the jack handle. It's almost enough to cause a return to an A engine.

Geo. H.

 

[Benson]

Geo.

I asked the same question in 1976 when I built my first B engine. I was told by Mike Richter my engine builder, that the shield is needed on the B engine because it turns faster than the Model A. Model B gets HP at 2800 vs 2200 for the A.

The shield helps keep more oil in the dipper pan for the rods. The shield prevents oil from going down the large hole in the dipper pan around the oil pump shaft.

Maybe if you used or made one of those tools that vendors sell that goes in the hole for checking oil pressure to hold the pump and shield up while you put the pan on, after you get the shield straightened?

Here is Snyder's picture:
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/5018

Just remember the the threads in the block where the plug goes are tapered (at least as far as I remember)and the casting of the block is kind of thin in that area so do not tighten the tool too tight.

Note added later: I assume Geo knows all the details but I included them for others reading this in the future who may not know about the details.

I'm having a problem getting the oil pan back on my B engine (31 rdstr). It seems that the counterweights are hitting the oil pump shield, which probably got deformed when the pump fell down while I was trying to put the pan on yesterday. My questions: what function does the shield serve? Would I be creating a problem if I left it off?

On my car I have to get the nose of the pan past the front cross member before I can get the back end up in place. It's always a battle. Any words of wisdom? I just jacked up the car, drained the oil, dropped the wishbone, and pulled the pan in 45 minutes. It takes three hours to get it back on, and i need a helper on the jack handle. It's almost enough to cause a return to an A engine.

Geo. H.

 

[Jim Brierley]

If it can't be easily straightened, I would just leave it out. The main oil supply for the rods is from the hole in the front of the oil galley. contrary to popular belief, that hole is not there to oil the timing gears.