- Joined
- Jul 18, 2013
I am reworking my oil pump....There is a long history of annoying little issues with my oil pump dating back 10 years ago when the engine was rebuilt (leaky, low pressure, distributor alignment/installation problems). A new, generic timing cover was installed at that point, and I didn't really realize all the little issues you get with that - unfortunately, I didn't begin to understand all those issues until recently (or maybe I forgot and am relearning), and so even when I redid the timing chain etc last fall, I re-used the generic timing cover. One issue was just finding the proper front main seal (its a bit different than most), another is the quality control seems to cause some slight misalignment between the distributor shaft and oil pump (makes installing the distributor a PITA), as well as what I think is a slightly too short distributor shaft accommodation such that when the shaft heats up and lengthens, it creates extra downward pressure on the oil pump thrust surface - which is probably not good for maximizing pump pressure/flow, generates extra heat, as well as it seems to want to push the oil pump cover/thrust plate down and off the timing cover, I think exacerbating leaking (as well as stripping the oil pump cover bolts out of the timing cover). I sort of went through this all a decade ago, but i guess I forgot and am learning it all again....I really wish last fall I would have bought a new, quality timing cover from TA or similar....but at the same time, it has worked for 10 years, so i think i can make it work again....so on to the oil pump...
Last fall, I swapped from the high volume, tall oil pump gears, to the OEM replacement Melling pump gears (short) and used the jim ruggles/kenne bell style booster plate from Vintage Jeeper. With that, you do a bit of grinding, need to use a special gasket (included from Sal), or available from TA, or modify (razor blade cut out) and standard fel pro gasket. I am not sure which gasket Sal includes with the kit, but this is the one from TA that I think is equally functional - it has the additional opening:
After installing the new booster, I have had a very slight improvement in idle oil pressure, and have revisited a lot of the same problems from 10 years ago. I had a lot of hassle getting the distributor to drop in, and it seems to want to sit a smidge too tall, and I am getting lots of leakage around the pump area (can't tell exactly where its coming from) - especially when its hot. Cold idle, no leaks. Park it in the garage after driving it around, puddle of oil. 10 years ago, I filed the slot on the oil pump gear shaft a bit deeper and wider to allow the distributor to fall in place, and eventually, I added a very thin washer/bushing between the distributor and timing cover to help it stay a bit higher and relieve downward pressure. I am wondering how much endplay is needed between the distributor shaft and the bottom of the oil pump slot to allow for thermal expansion?
At some point, I manage to get the oil pump leak essentially to a minor weap and ran it that way for years.....maybe my previous mods were truly a functional solution (and thus try them again), or time and wear on the gears and thrust plate self clearanced the needed play.......I probably should just consider a new timing cover.
FWIW...as part of my ongoing attempts to help oil pressure, I bought the shim kit from TA as well:
Installing these and checking for proper oil pump gear clearance would be much easier with the timing cover on the bench according to the instructions - wanted to include these from TA in case anyone really wants to go down the oil pump pressure rabbit hole (don't know if its worth it, but wondering if I should do a higher quality pdf scan or convert to text and post in our tech section?...assuming its not a legal issue with the site or TA?)
Last fall, I swapped from the high volume, tall oil pump gears, to the OEM replacement Melling pump gears (short) and used the jim ruggles/kenne bell style booster plate from Vintage Jeeper. With that, you do a bit of grinding, need to use a special gasket (included from Sal), or available from TA, or modify (razor blade cut out) and standard fel pro gasket. I am not sure which gasket Sal includes with the kit, but this is the one from TA that I think is equally functional - it has the additional opening:
After installing the new booster, I have had a very slight improvement in idle oil pressure, and have revisited a lot of the same problems from 10 years ago. I had a lot of hassle getting the distributor to drop in, and it seems to want to sit a smidge too tall, and I am getting lots of leakage around the pump area (can't tell exactly where its coming from) - especially when its hot. Cold idle, no leaks. Park it in the garage after driving it around, puddle of oil. 10 years ago, I filed the slot on the oil pump gear shaft a bit deeper and wider to allow the distributor to fall in place, and eventually, I added a very thin washer/bushing between the distributor and timing cover to help it stay a bit higher and relieve downward pressure. I am wondering how much endplay is needed between the distributor shaft and the bottom of the oil pump slot to allow for thermal expansion?
At some point, I manage to get the oil pump leak essentially to a minor weap and ran it that way for years.....maybe my previous mods were truly a functional solution (and thus try them again), or time and wear on the gears and thrust plate self clearanced the needed play.......I probably should just consider a new timing cover.
FWIW...as part of my ongoing attempts to help oil pressure, I bought the shim kit from TA as well:
Installing these and checking for proper oil pump gear clearance would be much easier with the timing cover on the bench according to the instructions - wanted to include these from TA in case anyone really wants to go down the oil pump pressure rabbit hole (don't know if its worth it, but wondering if I should do a higher quality pdf scan or convert to text and post in our tech section?...assuming its not a legal issue with the site or TA?)
