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oil pump drive clip lost?

1831 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  mudbogtom
Well just got done with and engine build and went to go prime the pump. I have the dizzy just placed in the hole to cover it and when I went to remove it it pulled the pump drive up with it and then I heard the dang clip falling somewhere into the darkness of the engine. I removed the timing cover thinking I could maybe get lucky and find it just sitting there, but no luck so far. I shoved a magnet all around in there but still no luck. Is that clip steel or a aluminum? I know its not plastic, since I installed it. I am about to remove the pan to find the dang thing. Anyone else have this problem before? Are the chances pretty good that the clip is just sitting at the bottom, and will never cause a problem? With a new eng build I am kind a leary about leaving it in there, but then again not to wild about taking it apart again. Any help would be appreciated.
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It's steel and you need to get it out of there if you want your motor to live. More than likely it did make it's way to the pan, but drop it and make sure.
besides when it isnt there you will have the problem of the shaft falling out every time you need to pull the distributor.

If it is in the bottom of the pan it will almost certainly not cause any problem in the future but weird things do happen.'

If it came off that easy it must be damaged. Get a new one that stays in place.

dkp
besides when it isnt there you will have the problem of the shaft falling out every time you need to pull the distributor.

If it is in the bottom of the pan it will almost certainly not cause any problem in the future but weird things do happen.'

If it came off that easy it must be damaged. Get a new one that stays in place.

dkp

X10!
For sure get a new one.
If it isn't in the car yet I would definately fix it.
Yeah got a pan gasket today, be pulling it tonight. The dang thing was a new clip that came with the new oil pump and drive. I wonder if the stupid thing was installed wrong and instead of fighting to come off it just slipped off. Definately be checking it this time. Thanks for all replies!
So what does that little clip do? I have seen it on my tear down but seen no use for it.
.

So what does that little clip do? I have seen it on my tear down but seen no use for it.
it keeps the oil pump drive shaft "sandwiched" between the oil pump, once installed, and the block. By securing the pump drive, it won't be pulled out of the oil pump during distributor removal and fall into the oil pan.

sean
besides when it isnt there you will have the problem of the shaft falling out every time you need to pull the distributor.

If it is in the bottom of the pan it will almost certainly not cause any problem in the future but weird things do happen.'

If it came off that easy it must be damaged. Get a new one that stays in place.

dkp
Or installed upside down:eek:
Or installed upside down:eek:
I'm guessing the clip was installed on the wrong end of the shaft to begin with. The clip should be just under the dist. end of the shaft to keep the shaft from pulling out of the pump when it hits the block where the dist. gear rides a pond pulling the dizzy. Does this make sense to anyone.


Dan
Well I ended up getting lucky and fished around in the pan long enough to find it with a bendable magnet. I just put some assembly lube on the drive and it suctioned itself to the dizzy and I installed that as a unit. Just going to have to remember that if I ever remove the dist.
Next the pump rod will end up in the pan next time you pull the dist. if you don't have the clip on it.....been there, done that.......Just sayin'.........
Rob
Next the pump rod will end up in the pan next time you pull the dist. if you don't have the clip on it.....been there, done that.......Just sayin'.........
Rob

I'm guessing the clip was installed on the wrong end of the shaft to begin with. The clip should be just under the dist. end of the shaft to keep the shaft from pulling out of the pump when it hits the block where the dist. gear rides a pond pulling the dizzy. Does this make sense to anyone.


Dan
Makes sense to me...


Like a couple others have mentioned... the clip has a purpose. It should be installed on the shaft near the top... spaced so that it will not allow the shaft to pull free from the oil pump. It needs to be installed as you install the pump, from the bottom... not down through the distributor hole in the top... or it will fall out just about every time you pull the distributor in a hurry.
Tom
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