M55HV oil pump pickup question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
From: Laurens SC
M55HV oil pump pickup question
Okay I am still putting my engine back together from my Cam issue. I decided on the M55HV oil pump while I was there because my bearings are getting old and I would like the extra volume there.
I pu tthe oil pump in and installed the stock pickup from my stock pump. I dont know why, but I adjusted the pickup until it cleared the oil pan and put everythign together (dont worry I didnt start the engine yet). Well I am sure the pickup screen is not parallel to the floor of the oil pan. Why I continued to bolt the oil pan on I can only attribute to being tired... but anyway.
Now I need to remove the pan and fix this. I guess I need a new pickup... Is the normal pickup sold at oriely's/autozone ect the correct one or do I have to order it from Summit? seems the stock one is too long for the new pump but I dont know if its because the new pump is high volume or just because its a replacement. If the screen sold at oriely's is correct, then I will buy that, but I worry that the one from oriely is only correct for the non-HV pump.
Anyone know? I would really like to get my engine back together this weekend....
I pu tthe oil pump in and installed the stock pickup from my stock pump. I dont know why, but I adjusted the pickup until it cleared the oil pan and put everythign together (dont worry I didnt start the engine yet). Well I am sure the pickup screen is not parallel to the floor of the oil pan. Why I continued to bolt the oil pan on I can only attribute to being tired... but anyway.
Now I need to remove the pan and fix this. I guess I need a new pickup... Is the normal pickup sold at oriely's/autozone ect the correct one or do I have to order it from Summit? seems the stock one is too long for the new pump but I dont know if its because the new pump is high volume or just because its a replacement. If the screen sold at oriely's is correct, then I will buy that, but I worry that the one from oriely is only correct for the non-HV pump.
Anyone know? I would really like to get my engine back together this weekend....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
From: Laurens SC
But High VOLUME= taller gears/ pump
??
If I have the "Stock pump" housing, why does the pickup tube seem to be too long?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
If the angle of the pickup is relatively close to horizontal when the pump is installed in the engine - you're OK. If not - and the istalled height is correct - you probably have an incompatible pick-up. Order the right Melling pick-up for both the oil pump (inlet dia is different on different Melling SBC pumps) and for the pan (obviously - deeper pans require a different pick-up).
If you are going with a High Volume pump - you should also have a aftermarket 4340 pump driveshaft, with a Steel Coupler. Higher volume pumps take more "effort" to drive - you'll notice this when you pre-lube the mortor with a drill.
After the pick-up is properly installed, and after you're happy with where it sits (typically 1/4" to 3/8 clearance off the bottom of the pan is what you're looking for) I'd strongly recommend welding / brazing the pickup to the pump if there isn't a secondary mounting bolt (which is used with some of the Meling pick-ups). I've seen a pick-up fall off - instant oil pressure loss...
GOOD LUCK !!!
If you are going with a High Volume pump - you should also have a aftermarket 4340 pump driveshaft, with a Steel Coupler. Higher volume pumps take more "effort" to drive - you'll notice this when you pre-lube the mortor with a drill.
After the pick-up is properly installed, and after you're happy with where it sits (typically 1/4" to 3/8 clearance off the bottom of the pan is what you're looking for) I'd strongly recommend welding / brazing the pickup to the pump if there isn't a secondary mounting bolt (which is used with some of the Meling pick-ups). I've seen a pick-up fall off - instant oil pressure loss...
GOOD LUCK !!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
From: Laurens SC
I have the steel pump shaft installed already. And I used stainless wire to hold the pickup tube from falling off (Learned that trick from a race shop) instead of welding.
Anyway.. Looks like the issue was all in my head. I must have been looking at it from a funny angle or something. I pulled the pan back off today to determine what was up and SURPRISE! it was level.. Oh well, better to double check it now then fight with it later.
Thanks everyone for your advice.
Anyway.. Looks like the issue was all in my head. I must have been looking at it from a funny angle or something. I pulled the pan back off today to determine what was up and SURPRISE! it was level.. Oh well, better to double check it now then fight with it later.
Thanks everyone for your advice.
