Oil Pump Locked Up And These Were In The Pan - Ideas?

[bbredstang]

Car is a hci with the stock block - about 165k miles.

My oil pump driveshaft snapped because the pump locked up. When I went to replace the pump, I used a magnet in the pan and found a bunch of these. Obviously not good just wanted to see if someone knew what they might be from.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[General karthief]

Thats scary, I don't know, does an oil pump have those in it?

 

[90sickfox]

Those are needle bearings....like the ones found on roller rockers, on the pivot end...not the tip. Never seen needle bearings used anywhere else on a motor.

 

[bbredstang]

Thanks guys! Keep the ideas coming. I am going to pull the valve covers to see if I notice anything there.

 

[General karthief]

Did you find anything in the pickup screen?

 

[RangerJoe]

Those are needle bearings....like the ones found on roller rockers, on the pivot end...not the tip. Never seen needle bearings used anywhere else on a motor.

What he said. Needles bearings are really only found in in aftermarket parts on these motors. Rocker arms and thrust bearings for aftermarket timing chains are the two things that come to mind.

Joe

 

[liljoe07]

Lifters have needle bearings.

 

[General karthief]

They are not that big are they?

 

[bbredstang]

I still have stock lifters - I do have aftermarket roller rockers & timing chain. Should be able to dig into the car again on Friday to take a peek under the valve covers. Could needle bearings from rockers/lifters make it down to the pan? They did all seem uniform in size so I think you are all spot on that they are needle bearings from something. That magnet in the picture is probably a little bit bigger than a dime in diameter for perspective.

Karthief - I checked the screen as well as I could and did not find any debris in it. I changed the pump out with the motor still in the car, however could feel the screen completely by touch.

 

[General karthief]

That could be a good sign. Let us know what you find, or not find.
I looked at an engine with the valve covers and intake off and yes I think those could could slip through to the oil pan.

 

[rd]

Look like little rollers from roller rockers or a lifter. On my 65 Mustang, pieces of valve stem seal fell into the crankcase and jammed the oil pump. I think if you look at the screen, it is not fastened to the back of the pickup and stuff can push it up and go by the screen. That is to keep a plugged screen from starving the engine of oil.

 

[bbredstang]

Are there small needle bearings like this on anything related to the pistons/crank/other items in the bottom end?

 

[General karthief]

Nothing I've ever hear of, I know there are roller rockers that have needle bearings in shafts but Ii'd think they where smaller.
I am not an expert, although I did stay at a holiday inn express once.

 

[90sickfox]

Whatever they came out of woulda been making some noise when it let go. Did you hear tapping in the top end before the shaft broke ?

 

[bbredstang]

Whatever they came out of woulda been making some noise when it let go. Did you hear tapping in the top end before the shaft broke ?

I was doing some spirited driving and noticed oil pressure dropped to 0 - immediately shut it down. There wasn't any goofy noises prior to that.

 

[General karthief]

If you did't find anything like that anywhere else and you didn't run it after it zero'd out you maybe good. I'm thinking you found every thing else in tack. You' ve gone this far yank valve covers and the front cover and give it a good inspection, do you know if anybody previous has had the motor apart? Make sure that oil pump screen is clean, take it off and insect it, crap can hide in there.

 

[bbredstang]

If you did't find anything like that anywhere else and you didn't run it after it zero'd out you maybe good. I'm thinking you found every thing else in tack. You' ve gone this far yank valve covers and the front cover and give it a good inspection, do you know if anybody previous has had the motor apart? Make sure that oil pump screen is clean, take it off and insect it, crap can hide in there.

I have had the car since 75k miles, and purchased it back in 1998. Back then it was bone stock, and I have done all of the work up to this point - I am sure I have made some mistakes learning!! The bottom end has not been taken apart, however the rest of the motor is aftermarket at this point.

 

[General karthief]

Have you investigated your rockers? Thats 'bout the only thing I can think of.

 

[bbredstang]

Have you investigated your rockers? Thats 'bout the only thing I can think of.

Today I made it down to getting the valve covers off and ran out of time. On the surface nothing looked wrong. I am going to have to take each rocker off to get a really good look - for another day.

I will update the thread as I continue to dig in.