[five7kid]

In 2001, I obtained a take-off ZZ4 oil pump, pick-up tube, oil pan, and baffle. I installed them on the 305 when I did the upgrades to it (heads, cam, intake, headers, etc.). The pick-up went into the pump pretty easy, but I didn't think about it and just put it back together.

Not long after that, I noticed the oil pressure nose diving upon braking. At first I chalked it up to the 140k+ miles on the bottom end, but finally came to the realization that the pick-up must have fallen off of the pump. When I took the 305 out this past summer for the 350 shortblock install, sure enough, the pick-up was laying in the bottom of the pan.

Since oil pressure was fine under "normal" operating conditions, and I was way over budget for the project, I reused the oil pump, but tack welded the pick-up to the pump before putting the engine back together. Much to my dismay, in a short time, the old nosedive returned.

I dropped the pan last weekend, and, having returned the borrowed wire welder with which I had tack welded it last summer and not having a torch, decided to try a different approach. I got some metal plumbing pipe support tape, a #10x1" screw and self-locking nut, and strapped the pick-up to the pump housing. I didn't take any photos because I didn't want any evidence around should this not work, but so far it appears to be holding on.

It was cheaper than getting a torch to braze the pick-up on, and since it has a one-piece oil pan gasket, I didn't even have to do any scraping or buy anything else to do this job.

It may be a little shadetree, but what the hey, if it works, does it matter?

 

[Red Devil]

Ummm, this thread is WORTHLESS without pics. You must now go out and get the aforementioned pics!!!

 

[five7kid]

If it comes off again, I'll post a pic of what not to do...

So far, it's staying on.

 

[z28pete]

That is aan old problem with oil pumps. Lucky you didn't blow the engine.

 

[five7kid]

Nah, I ran the 305 like that for over a year. On acceleration and in cruise, the pump was in the bath of oil. Just when not under power when slowing down did it suck air.

 

[Jaberwaki]

ran into the same trouble on teh first motor i ever built. the pick up fell off twice (the fist time taking the motor with it) after pulling it out a rebuilding it again i did what you did, tack weld the pickup, it fell off again but i noticed the pressure drop as soon as it hapened this time and didn't lose the motor. inspecting it showed the bead did not take (the first time i had realy ever welded too) so this time i WELDED the pickupon basically pulled a bead accross the bottom half were the pickup met the pump, this time with the help of mister argon the weld took just fine that time...

 

[five7kid]

I expected the weld to not have taken on the cast iron pump side. I was surprised and a little dismayed that it had actually taken a bead on both the pump and pickup side, but broke in the middle of the weld bead itself (didn't leave it on long enough). I only wanted to tack it, because I had heard too many stories about distorting the pump with excessive heat. So much for that worry.

 

[Kenwood]

Fopr about $4 shipped you can buy a bracket from Jegs that will bolt the pickup on and hold it into place.. Then it will never happen again...no need to borrow a welder or anything..