Misc. questions on 383 build
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
Misc. questions on 383 build
As I am review next steps with my 383 engine build I have the following questions:
1) Is the Fel-Pro blue one piece oil pan gasket the way to go?
2) Specifically what sealer do you recommend to put on the head bolts?
I want to use a new oil pump. Heres 2 questions:
3) Should I be using a high or low volume?
4) Is it wise to also buy a new pickup or can I use the old one and make sure the pump I buy has the right inlet diameter?
1) Is the Fel-Pro blue one piece oil pan gasket the way to go?
2) Specifically what sealer do you recommend to put on the head bolts?
I want to use a new oil pump. Heres 2 questions:
3) Should I be using a high or low volume?
4) Is it wise to also buy a new pickup or can I use the old one and make sure the pump I buy has the right inlet diameter?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
As I am review next steps with my 383 engine build I have the following questions:
1) Is the Fel-Pro blue one piece oil pan gasket the way to go?
2) Specifically what sealer do you recommend to put on the head bolts?
I want to use a new oil pump. Heres 2 questions:
3) Should I be using a high or low volume?
4) Is it wise to also buy a new pickup or can I use the old one and make sure the pump I buy has the right inlet diameter?
1) Is the Fel-Pro blue one piece oil pan gasket the way to go?
2) Specifically what sealer do you recommend to put on the head bolts?
I want to use a new oil pump. Heres 2 questions:
3) Should I be using a high or low volume?
4) Is it wise to also buy a new pickup or can I use the old one and make sure the pump I buy has the right inlet diameter?
Yes, the Fel-Pro seal is the way to go. They are fantastic, just make sure all your gasket surfaces are very clean and flat.
I like using Indian Head on head bolts, but Permatex will also work great.
You will want a high volume pump, not a high pressure pump.
Your old pickup will work fine so long as it's clean and clear of sludge. You might have to have someone tack weld the pickup to the new pump if it's not a tight fit in the bore.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
1. Yes Ihave used the one piece gasket and it works very well and is easy to install.
2. I have always used Permatex aviation gasket sealer. Iwas told to use this years ago by an engine builder and Ihave used it on many engines with good success.
3. A high volume pump is OK to use. Don't go high pressure.
4. The stock tube is OK if it is not damaged and you are using a stock pan. If the end is dinged up at all it will not be a tight fit in the pump. Why not put in a new one. They are cheap. Make sure it is at the right height when you install it.
Just a little slow this morning. D boy beat me to it.
2. I have always used Permatex aviation gasket sealer. Iwas told to use this years ago by an engine builder and Ihave used it on many engines with good success.
3. A high volume pump is OK to use. Don't go high pressure.
4. The stock tube is OK if it is not damaged and you are using a stock pan. If the end is dinged up at all it will not be a tight fit in the pump. Why not put in a new one. They are cheap. Make sure it is at the right height when you install it.
Just a little slow this morning. D boy beat me to it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Standard Z/28 pump, 70 pounds of pressure, standard volume pump.
Same pump was used on the LT1s and Z/28s. Believe its a
melling M55A. High volume pumps are for loose bearing clearance 25 %
one may well pump a stock 4 quart pan dry.
Same pump was used on the LT1s and Z/28s. Believe its a
melling M55A. High volume pumps are for loose bearing clearance 25 %
one may well pump a stock 4 quart pan dry.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 6, 2008 at 02:34 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,391
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
- I just yanked a FelPro 1-piece pan gasket out of an engine due to incurable leaks. Installed the standard FelPro High Performance 4-piece set and fixed the leaks. The 1-piece gasket is not a "silver bullet." You can get a standard gasket set to seal up just as well as the magical 1-piece gasket.
- Use UltraBlack sealant for anything that needs sealing. A little dab on the head bolt threads is all you need.
- Don't use a high volume pump - it pumps a ton of oil up into the heads and increases oil consumption down the guides. Use the stock Z28 pump, Melling M55A.
- Don't bother beating the old pickup out of your old pump. For $5, get a new pickup and put a couple of tack welds on it to hold it in after you measure your pickup-to-pan clearance.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
- I just yanked a FelPro 1-piece pan gasket out of an engine due to incurable leaks. Installed the standard FelPro High Performance 4-piece set and fixed the leaks. The 1-piece gasket is not a "silver bullet." You can get a standard gasket set to seal up just as well as the magical 1-piece gasket.
- Use UltraBlack sealant for anything that needs sealing. A little dab on the head bolt threads is all you need.
- Don't use a high volume pump - it pumps a ton of oil up into the heads and increases oil consumption down the guides. Use the stock Z28 pump, Melling M55A.
- Don't bother beating the old pickup out of your old pump. For $5, get a new pickup and put a couple of tack welds on it to hold it in after you measure your pickup-to-pan clearance.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville , NC
As I am review next steps with my 383 engine build I have the following questions:
1) Is the Fel-Pro blue one piece oil pan gasket the way to go?
2) Specifically what sealer do you recommend to put on the head bolts?
I want to use a new oil pump. Heres 2 questions:
3) Should I be using a high or low volume?
4) Is it wise to also buy a new pickup or can I use the old one and make sure the pump I buy has the right inlet diameter?
1) Is the Fel-Pro blue one piece oil pan gasket the way to go?
2) Specifically what sealer do you recommend to put on the head bolts?
I want to use a new oil pump. Heres 2 questions:
3) Should I be using a high or low volume?
4) Is it wise to also buy a new pickup or can I use the old one and make sure the pump I buy has the right inlet diameter?
I just finished my 383 build so here is my take on your questions:
1. I used the felpro one piece oil pan gasket. It is thicker than the old cork gasket so I had to work the bolts from the four corners (where the bolts are larger) and carefully start the smaller side bolts to ensure that the threads caught.
2. I used ARP bolts on my rebuild so I used the ARP sealer.
3. I used a melling 10552 10% over stock pump, foremost for the better casing. If you are going with a melling make sure you get the correct pickup. some of the pumps (like the 10552) the pick up is not pressed in, but is attached by 2 screws and a gasket. The pick up come set for 7", 7.5" or 8" depending on the oil pan size. They can not easily be adjusted. I used a small block of clay to check the 1/4" spacing for my pick up
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
- I just yanked a FelPro 1-piece pan gasket out of an engine due to incurable leaks. Installed the standard FelPro High Performance 4-piece set and fixed the leaks. The 1-piece gasket is not a "silver bullet." You can get a standard gasket set to seal up just as well as the magical 1-piece gasket.
- Use UltraBlack sealant for anything that needs sealing. A little dab on the head bolt threads is all you need.
- Don't use a high volume pump - it pumps a ton of oil up into the heads and increases oil consumption down the guides. Use the stock Z28 pump, Melling M55A.
- Don't bother beating the old pickup out of your old pump. For $5, get a new pickup and put a couple of tack welds on it to hold it in after you measure your pickup-to-pan clearance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
High volume pumps have been shown to take 15+ more HP to drive...and they're no benefit for a street engine with clearances typically on the tight side of limits.
Here's a short list of current standard-volume GM and Melling pumps; note that the Melling pumps come with the low pressure spring and it's a quick change with a pin. IMHO, a press-on pickup is fine for a new pump on a street engine - I've *never* had one come out if correctly installed, i.e. with Loctite sleeve retainer and the correct tool (below).
GMPP
Oil pump: 12555884, high pressure, std volume, 5/8" pickup
Melling
10553 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std, volume, 5/8" pickup, press-on only
10554 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std. volume, 3/4" pickup, press-on only
ARP
135-7901 Oil pump driveshaft
230-7001 Oil pump stud, std volume, hex head
230-7002 Oil pump stud, std volume, 12-pt
Tools
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
Here's a short list of current standard-volume GM and Melling pumps; note that the Melling pumps come with the low pressure spring and it's a quick change with a pin. IMHO, a press-on pickup is fine for a new pump on a street engine - I've *never* had one come out if correctly installed, i.e. with Loctite sleeve retainer and the correct tool (below).
GMPP
Oil pump: 12555884, high pressure, std volume, 5/8" pickup
Melling
10553 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std, volume, 5/8" pickup, press-on only
10554 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std. volume, 3/4" pickup, press-on only
ARP
135-7901 Oil pump driveshaft
230-7001 Oil pump stud, std volume, hex head
230-7002 Oil pump stud, std volume, 12-pt
Tools
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
Last edited by billla; Apr 13, 2008 at 07:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
High volume pumps have been shown to take 15+ more HP to drive...and they're no benefit for a street engine with clearances typically on the tight side of limits.
Here's a short list of current standard-volume GM and Melling pumps; note that the Melling pumps come with the low pressure spring and it's a quick change with a pin. IMHO, a press-on pickup is fine for a new pump on a street engine - I've *never* had one come out if correctly installed, i.e. with Loctite sleeve retainer and the correct tool (below).
GMPP
Oil pump: 12555884, high pressure, std volume, 5/8" pickup
Melling
10553 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std, volume, 5/8" pickup, press-on only
10554 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std. volume, 3/4" pickup, press-on only
ARP
135-7901 Oil pump driveshaft
230-7001 Oil pump stud, std volume, hex head
230-7002 Oil pump stud, std volume, 12-pt
Tools
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
Here's a short list of current standard-volume GM and Melling pumps; note that the Melling pumps come with the low pressure spring and it's a quick change with a pin. IMHO, a press-on pickup is fine for a new pump on a street engine - I've *never* had one come out if correctly installed, i.e. with Loctite sleeve retainer and the correct tool (below).
GMPP
Oil pump: 12555884, high pressure, std volume, 5/8" pickup
Melling
10553 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std, volume, 5/8" pickup, press-on only
10554 high pressure (comes with low press spring), std. volume, 3/4" pickup, press-on only
ARP
135-7901 Oil pump driveshaft
230-7001 Oil pump stud, std volume, hex head
230-7002 Oil pump stud, std volume, 12-pt
Tools
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...ab0fcdc8ed9cf9
Looks like a good list to me except the 135-7901 is a big block drive shaft. At least thats what Summit says.