I put in a standard Melling oil pump on a 350 I'm building but I bought a heavy duty shaft with the steel sleeve. The sleeve is loose and it won't hang on when I turn the pump upside down. Is this really an issue or can I just drop it in from the top with no consequences later? I always just thought it had to be tight just so you could mount the pump. Help me out guys.

You shouldn't have any problems with it. It is just to keep it in place until the distributor is in. Just like you stated. Jeff

If it bothers you, then you could get a bottle of LocTite for pressed fit items.

The shaft hasta go in with the pump, you can not drop it in from the top.. Mine fit loosely too, after 2,000 miles or so, its still fine... Once the distributor got set in it was fine... Nate

You have put the engine on it's side so it won't fall off. You can also put it straight up from the bottom and still torque it with no problem. All shafts are going to be somewhat loose.

Or you could take a sharp punch and put little dimples on the shaft to tighten it up.

Like Nate said, the collar is sandwiched between the pump and the block and can't go anywhere. OK, yeah it may be able to rise just enough to come up off the pump shaft, but once the distributor is in it can't / wont.

Guess you need a BBC motor....I got a metal collered one and it 'snapped' on. Finally, a BBC part that the sbc guys envy...lol...

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by rscamaro73:
Guess you need a BBC motor....I got a metal collered one and it 'snapped' on. Finally, a BBC part that the sbc guys envy...lol...</font>

Aww heck no, they envy canted valves too, don't ya know? http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Every last pump shaft I have had on a small block has fit the same way, Razor.

Thanks guys. I'll do the engine on its side thing, sounds like the easiest. Appreciate all your help.

One more thing to realize is that you cant and will not get the distributor to set all the way in if the shaft didnt fall onto the pump.. if this happens, just take a long flat head screwdriver and turn the shaft until it falls in the pump slot... easy enough.. Nate