oil pump, again
 

I've torn my 8BA style oil pump down and glad I did. The relief spring had 3-4 coils broken. I have another pump and the spring in it looks good. The pump I'm planning to use didn't have a paper gasket between the cover and the housing but had a thin, hard sealer-like coating. I have a Best gasket set that includes a paper gasket but I've read suggestions not to use a gasket. If I don't use the gasket, should I use a sealer of some sort, and what is the recommendation? Should I do a trial fit dry and use plasti-gauge to check clearance? I've read about .005" is what to shoot for. Any suggestions welcome and appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: oil pump, again
 

I've just been through this, and my '49-'51 (reproduction) manual says .0015 to .006" clearance between the gears and the cover. As an example the clearance on mine was .002"

Re: oil pump, again
 

Did you use a gasket?

Re: oil pump, again
 

don't use a gasket or sealer...

Re: oil pump, again
 

My pump would have been an interference fit if I didn't use the thin gasket with my kit. The gears protruded .001 outside the pump body. The gasket left clearance for the gears to turn.

Check your clearances and don't just assume.

Re: oil pump, again
 

Ford didn't specify end clearance, as far as I can tell, but it is an important area that can drop your oil pressure. I use a spec (from memory, .005--7) that I borrowed from a Vizard book covering the SBChevy pump.

Re: oil pump, again
 

I used the gasket that came in my gasket set. For 8BA's at least, Ford has an end clearance specification.

Re: oil pump, again
 

I used plasti-gauge without the gasket and it showed .002" between the gears and the plate. I cleaned the plastic off and installed the plate. The pump was locked up. The gasket read .009" thick so I put it on and reinstalled the plate. It's all back together.

Re: oil pump, again
 

The efficiency of the pump is compromised with excess end clearance. Keep it as tight as possible without contact between gear and cover plate. Fill the gear section with Lubriplate Motor Assembly lube after clearance is established and the pump will be ready to install.

Re: oil pump, again
 

JWL, what dimensional +/- spec. would you shoot for between rotor and plate when using a gasket?

Re: oil pump, again
 

If you have .002 clearance, one would think it should turn freely.

Re: oil pump, again
 

Back in the 90's the Mellings pumps were garbage, I won't go into it, but I had to replace several of them. Since then I just cleaned them, checked clearance and most have worked just fine. With my limited vision ai now have John do them for me. The 280 in my truck has 10lbs at hot idle and 40 at cruise. I use 5-20 oil.Will switch to a synthetic after brake in.