Big block oil pick up?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Big block oil pick up?
I’m doing a big block swap in my 70.i ordered the correct oil pan,pump,& pick-up from zip.the oil pan measures 8 3/4in . I am assuming this is a 6 qt pan.when I measured it out it looks like the oil pick up will be about 1-1/2 inches from the bottom of the pan.is this correct
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 9
From: Hebron KY
No. 3/8" is the correct clearance. Check the clearance by test fitting the pan with something that will be compressed by the pick up in the floor of the pan sump. While you have easy access, either have a good shop weld the pick up tube to the pump or if you are skilled enough to weld the relatively thin tube material to the malleable cast of the pump, do it yourself. The tube can/will vibrate loose over time. Ask me how I know......
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 9
From: Hebron KY
Not being exactly parallel with the floor of the pan should not be a big deal. There is a little wiggle room in the clearance specs. When I had my issue with the pick up tube vibrating out of my 454, I used a melling pump, and a pick up tube that appeared to be identical to the stock pick up that I found laying in the bottom of the pan. You can take some measurements to get it close with the tube tap fitted (not fully seated) into the pump. I got it where I needed it to be and marked it with a paint pen. Detached pump and tube from the engine as a assy, and drove the pick up tube into the pump with the correct tool making sure that the paint marks remained aligned. I took it to have it welded after that. The pump is cast and the pick up is much thinner metal so I did not trust my mig or my skills to secure permanently. Mellings vid on installation:
I replaced the pump and pick up tube with the engine still in the car.
I replaced the pump and pick up tube with the engine still in the car.
Last edited by Borrowedtime; Dec 1, 2018 at 09:13 PM. Reason: omitted a link....
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 9
From: Hebron KY
When I noticed the oil pressure fluctuating, I got it shut down pretty quickly but still had to lay under the car for a week polishing out the rod and main journals with 2000 grit and crocus cloth. Not an activity I would recommend. Checked the clearances, installed new pump and bearings and all was well.
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Race Director
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From: SW Florida.
I would shop around for a 1-inch deeper oil pickup. So what's the correct height from the bottom of the pan at both ends of the tube. Otherwise you're going to be 3/8 at one end and closer to 3/4 at the other. And get the full open type. Not this:. https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Elgin-7...oAAOSwUIxbudX-. More like this:. https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Oil-Pum...cAAOSw3ANb4ER5
Last edited by derekderek; Dec 2, 2018 at 08:49 PM.
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Not really ok
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Blaine MN
I had the same issue last year. Original trap door pan (GM Corvette high capacity) was too damaged to save so I bought the same P/N Pan (new GM) and a Mellling HV Pump, my plan was to re-use the original Pickup. It had near an inch of clearance, my Motor was a CE stamped 427 so I figured the wrong Pickup was put in at the Dealership when they did the Warranty replacement work. I tried all the Melling Pickup flavors (the local Engine Shop stocks them) and none of them get you into the correct distance range unless you tilt the Pickup. I decided to make a weld in bushing to lengthen the tube so the Pickup would be level, probably overkill but with the $$$'s invested and over 550HP at the crank it seemed like a worth while 8-10 hours (the math to get the correct length eluded me so it was back and forth to the Lathe until I had the correct fit). The Pump is Cast Iron so I TIG brazed the Pickup to the Pump when done (I think I used Sil Bronze filler cause it didn't flow very well, I've read the Alum Bronze filler is easier).
I'll be interested to hear what your solution is.
I'll be interested to hear what your solution is.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Big block oil pick up
Thanks for the information I from you guys. I called melling and the tech said that they don’t make a pick up for an 8 3/4in pan.he gave me the number for one 1 inch longer and suggested i cut it and weld it.im going that route.nothings easy 🤔
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Last edited by derekderek; Dec 7, 2018 at 08:46 AM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Blaine MN
Le Mans Master
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Cover the pickup with foil, put a ball of Play-Doh on the pickup and drop the pan on. Measure how thick the clay is -- that will be your clearance between the pan and pickup.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Big block oil pick up
I ordered the replacement oil pan from corvette central.i called them and told them about my issue.the tec called me back and said that the company stopped making them so they went to another vendor.he found out that this pan is for a truck engine!good work by him 👍 I didn’t measure wrong. Shopping for another pan. Gm part # 14091356. Found some real cheap ones and some pricey ones. Summit has a Chevrolet performance pan for 175. Has anyone tried this pan? Not a number matching car. Is this a 5 qt pan and does any one know the pan depth?