HELP - Melling pump interference

[Ocalafox]

Has anyone experienced interference when using a Melling high volume oil pump? I half installed my oil pan (5 lb torque on bolts) then removed it and could see where one of the pump cover bolts was beginning to gouge into the bottom of the oil pan (stock pan). All advice is appreciated, switch to aftermarket pan, radius bolt head with a file? I wasn't expecting this, I did verify the distance from pick-up to pan, 5/16".
Thanks in advance,
vann

 

[vristang]

Seems odd...
verify the part numbers on the pump are for a 302, and not a 351w...???

 

[jrichker]

I had the same problem since the Melling pumps are a big cast iron honker of a pump. I heated the pan with a MAP torch and dimpled it with a ball pien hammer. After I got the required clearance, I heated it again to stress relieve the hammered area of the oil pan.

 

[Ocalafox]

Thanks JR, I'll prolly go that route. As far as part number the box is M-68HV which is correct to Jegs catalog. I'll verify ID on the pump.
Thanks,
vann

 

[rd]

If you had a gasket in place and it hit, yes, you need to provide some relief.

Just went through this on another vehicle, and with the gasket, it all seemed to clear, so on it went.

 

[Ocalafox]

Thanks guys, I "dimpled" the pan for clearence and filed the bolt for additional clearence. Yes, it initially hit with the 1 piece fel-pro blue gasket inplace. Now that that's behind me I'm trying to locate TDC with a "POS" streetdamper. Of course it doesn't line up with the stock 5.0 timing indicator. Oh well, if it was simple Mattel would make 'um. Anyway Merry Christmas and that's for the advice this past year. I'll finally have my 347 (and cleaned engine bay) running sometine in Janurary.
vann