Oil pump alignment problem

fxbill · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 08:42 PM

I was two days from installing a new engine in my CR. I went to install the distributor today and when it wouldn't seat all the way I discovered that the oil pump driveshaft is not centered in the hole in the block...in fact when I went to try to center it with a long screwdriver I found that it was actually spring loaded to the edge of the hole. The only thing I can guess is that the oil pump is mal-aligned somehow leaving the driveshaft at an angle.
Has anyone seen this happen and if so any ideas on a cure?
It's a new Dart Iron Eagle block and I'm becoming very disappointed with it. The distributor hole was .001" undersized, bolt holes in block for the bellhousing are not tapped all the way through, etc, etc..... I hope the problem is not with the mounting holes for the pump....

SCOBRAC · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 11:50 PM

It shouldn't take 20 minutes to pull the pan and straighten it out. Leave the pan off when you reinstall the shaft / distributor to make sure you don't have to repeat the exercise.

fxbill · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 11:56 PM

Thanks Michael....I'd planned on pulling it tomorrow. The long block was built by a reputable builder back East....I never expected to run into this kind of problem. I don't mind pulling it as long as there is enough room to adjust slightly. It's almost as if the pump or the pump mount is machined at a slight angle instead of being perfectly horizontal to the engine. If I can't reposition it I might try a new pump to see if it's any better. If not I guess I can always machine the pump base slightly. Just another hassle I didn't plan on. Has anyone else ever had this problem?

SCOBRAC · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 12:04 AM

It is curious that it doesn't line up. It may have gotten bent somehow... If you are in a hurry I'd source a heavy duty oil pump drive before you start. I would not attempt to straighten it if it is bent. That won't be a problem in Socal.

fxbill · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 12:12 AM

I'm not so sure the rod is bent...If so I do have an Arp standing by as well as another high volume pump from the 393 that went South when it dropped a valve. I'm more afraid the rod is fine, but the pump alignment or mounting angle is somehow wrong. I sure hope you're right though and it's just a bent rod.

fxbill · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 03:27 PM

Dropped the pan and pulled the pump today. Simply reinstalling the pump solved the problem. Apparently there is a bit of play in the mounting holes. I also discovered the real problem in installing the distributor. The engine builder had used an oil galley plug that was long enough to stick out almost 3/8" into the path of the distributor. Without the gear the distributor went in fine. With the gear on the plug blocked the installation. Removed and replaced the plug with a shorter one and all is fine....( Of course it took 5 hours to remove the entire front end of the engine in order to do it!) I'm beginning to wonder about this builder. Has anyone heard of or dealt with Creb Engineering in RI?