Oil pump installation questions???

[NYH1]

I'm using THIS Melling Oil Pump, THIS Melling Oil Pump Pick Up and THIS ARP Oil Pump Stud. The oil pump pick up bolts to the oil pump. I was told to set the clearance between the bottom of the pick up and the oil pan anywhere from 1/4" to 1/2". I set it right at 3/8". That's not from the bottom of the screen, that's from the lowest part of the pick up to the pan. Should I still tac weld the pick up to the oil pump?

Also, What should I torque the oil pump "stud" to the main cap at? And after that, what should I torque the bolt that go's on the stud that holds the pump at? I assume I should use ARP paste on both, right?

If I do tac weld the pick up to the pump I have to remove the bottom cap on the oil pump and the oil pump spring before welding. What should I re torque the four bolts on the bottom of the oil pump to? And what do I torque the plug that holds the spring in place to?

Thanks, NYH1!

[Cardinal]

What engine are you putting this on? IMHO, unless you are running a high performance engine with all of the oil control devices (cam galley oil restrictors for a solid lifter cam, windage tray, crank scraper on the pan rail, bigger oil pan, just to name a few things) then you have the wrong oil pump.

If all you have is a stock to mild hydraulic cam engine, all you need is a regular volume and pressure oil pump. Summit will gladly refund your money and get your the right oil pump. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEL-M55/

Next is setting the oil pump pickup clearance distance between the pickup and the pan. It should be from 3/8" to 1/2". As for permanently attaching the pickup to the oil pump, I prefer to either braze it unless I have access to a TIG welder. I remove ALL of the parts from the pump so that they can't be damaged by the heat from welding. After it is welded, I put it in DRY sand to let it cool as long as it takes to get back to room temperature.

Also, be VERY careful which Melling oil pump you buy. Read this post that was posted here which still confuses me but spells out exactly which oil pump NOT to use EVER: http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showth...hlight=melling

[Rick WI]

Pump will work great for you.

Height is to the screen. That's where its measured. Stud isn't torqued. Finger tight or lightly snugged to bottom. Nut 65 ft lbs. No specs I have seen on pickup just tighten pretty snug. I locktight. No need to weld and never seen done. That is why they call it a bolt on!

[bigbear40]

Why is it so wrong of NYH1 to go with a high volume oil pump?

[Rick WI]

There is nothing wrong with using that pump.

[yobin67]

I have the same pump for my new engine.I have read about this pickup having issues.The bolts can come loose,or the gasket could fail. I had a custom pickup made for mine that both presses in and bolts on.To me this is a much better and safer setup.

Here is a generic pic of the pickup I used.
http://www.kevkoracing.com/images/me...ickup_full.gif

I called them and they made the pickup to fit my 8.25" deep pan
This is mine

[AJ_72]

Originally Posted by bigbear40

Why is it so wrong of NYH1 to go with a high volume oil pump?

Actually, there's nothing "wrong" per say, but a high volume pump can run the sump dry at higher RPMs.

Mine does at around 4,800 RPM through 1st and 2nd gear up until 5,600 when it shifts.

A higher capacity sump, smoothing the drain back routes and limiting how much oil goes where it really isn't needed are the things that should be done when using a high volume pump.

[NYH1]

It's going in the mild 385 stroker motor I'm building. It's going to have a hydraulic flat tappet cam. It won't turn over 56-5800 RPM's.

The Melling oil pump (pt#10552) that I'm using only has approximately a 10% over stock volume output. It doesn't have the typical 25 to 30% increase over stock volume output that most high volume oil pumps have. It's a lot closer to a stock volume oil pump then it is a typical high volume oil pump.

It's one of Mellings performance series oil pumps. It's not one of their OEM oil pumps. I'm using a 5 quart oil pan instead of the stock 4 quart oil pan. All my oil returns routes have been thoroughly cleaned up to increase/help the oil returning to the pan.

[NYH1]

yobin67, my pick up attaches to the pump just like yours does. What type of problems did you have or hear about with the Melling pick up?

[NYH1]

Originally Posted by Rick WI

Pump will work great for you.

Height is to the screen. That's where its measured. Stud isn't torqued. Finger tight or lightly snugged to bottom. Nut 65 ft lbs. No specs I have seen on pickup just tighten pretty snug. I locktight. No need to weld and never seen done. That is why they call it a bolt on!

Thanks for the info Rick!

[bigbear40]

Why would it run the sump dry?

Thanks.

[NYH1]

Originally Posted by bigbear40

Why would it run the sump dry?

Thanks.

I don't think the pump I'm using will run the sump dry at all. Like I said, it's only has a 10% increase over stock volume output and I'm going to have an extra quart of oil in the pan.

[yobin67]

The pickup you listed, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEL-12558/ does not press in. It only uses the 2 bolts and a gasket to hold it on. The pickup I have has an extended tube that presses in,and it bolts in after it's pressed in to place. I have seen pics on the net of the Melling pickup breaking off at the flange,and have heard of failed gaskets and bolts comming loose.

Here are picks of both.Can you see the difference?

[bigbear40]

But if I go with in the future a 7 quart oil pan and a moroso high volume oil pump wouldnt that be a good combination?

[bigbear40]

Originally Posted by yobin67

I have seen pics on the net of the Melling pickup breaking off at the flange,and have heard of failed gaskets and bolts comming loose.

Use loctite.