I got a Melling M55A pump and an M55-S1 pickup. The problem is that it looks like it's too steep of an angle for the mount. The pan is 7 1/4" deep with the gasket, and there's 3/16" clearance between the pickup and the pan. Any help would be appreciated.

Jason
http://members.cox.net/rjfine/PA220003.JPG

Whoa.......that thing is wayyyy off . It should be level with the pump. The way it is now you'll hit the bottom of the pan before it bolts up to the block.

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If all else fails...Tap lightly with a 5lb hammer!

Except that it's 3/16" off the bottom of the oil pan as it sits.

The way I do it!

I place a 3/8" nut flat on the end of my pick-up and then I install my pan loosely.

Then I remove my pan AND make sure my pick-up is tight by welding, wiring, etc.. AND remove the nut and botton it up AND go..

pdq67

PS., and if you don't like the pick-up's angle, then make a pump spacer so that it fits flat.

I agree,it should be level

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1981 Camaro Coupe
402 auto.

Wow, that's way off. You need 3/8" to 1/2" clearance not 3/16"

at 3/16" off the floor your gonna kill that thing from lack of oil. Not enough room between pickup and pan floor for the oil to get in there.

I use a T square to measure and set mine.

I lay the pan right side up, place gasket on it's rails, measure from the top of gasket to bottom of pan floor... Write that number down.

Now lay gaskets on block's rails and measure from top of gasket to top of oil pump pick up.. Write that # down.

The diff in the 2 #'s is the clearance, then adjust the pick up to give me between 3/8" and 1/2" clearance with 7/16" being my target goal.

Not having the right pick up to pan floor clearance is really where the old rumor of HV/HP oil pumps sucking the pan dry and killing the bearings came from. People tend to forget HV/HP pumps have longer gears in em, there for the pump sticks lower in the pan, they don't set and adjust the pick up right, then once its in use at higher rpm there's not enough room for the oil to get between the pick up and pan

Where'd ya get the pickup from? Is it the pickup that is supposed to work with the pan you have? The pickup you have looks like you typical run of the mill variety SB chevy pickup which isn't made to be used with an aftermarket pan of that depth.

You say your depth is roughly 7 1/4" if you don't know the manufacture of the pan, find a pan of similar depth and use the pickup recommended for that. (Moroso)

I just put the same similar pump in my recent BB build. Melling M77 pump with corresponding pick up, and mine was at an angle too, but not as extreme as yours. I used a stock pan.

OK, upon further checking, the pan's 7 1/2" deep. Does anyone have a cross reference or know of a part number for a pickup that'll give me the right geometry for this? I want to get the bottom end buttoned up so I can sit and watch the engine gather some more dust for a few more months! http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif