Oil pump shaft doesnt appear to be long enough WTF?

[90_Red_LX]

The motor is all but ready to go except for putting water in it and priming, and when I go to put the shaft in the shaft isn't long enough. I even had the star washer slid up to the point that the dizzy wouldn't even have enough to grab, and it still wouldn't fit in the slot. I'm totally damn stumped. I'd have the car running by now if it wasn't for the F'n ****. Forgive me it's just really pissed me off.

 

[5spd GT]

Sorry about that man.

Is it a stock replacement or thicker/hardened Ford or ARP piece?

 

[90_Red_LX]

It's a aftermarket shaft, chromoly piece. Unsure of brand but it's definetly stronger than stock.

 

[5spd GT]

I know the Ford and ARP pieces are both made of chromemoly...

I have heard of fitment issues with the ARP piece

If it is the Ford part, the part number should end in B302 and not A302 (listed for '86 and down)...

Just some ideas...

 

[90_Red_LX]

I think I have found my answer but I hope to god I am wrong. You can't replace the shaft with the retainer through just the dizzy hole can you?

 

[5spd GT]

I don't recall actually, but I know I put the oil pump shaft in before I put the oil pan on.

If the little sleeve is on the shaft (if it was installed) it won't come out.

I guess if the sleeve wasn't on the oil pump shaft, it could be replaced if you could get a hold of it. You could pull it out.

The sleeve is on there to keep the shaft in, when you pull the distributor.

Oh, and ARP is stamped on the driveshaft, so I imagine it isn't the issue.

 

[408gt91]

no you are supposed to put the shaft in from the bottom then put the oil pump on it and bolt the pump in. then the distributor slides down onto it in the hole.the little skirt is to hold the shaft down in the pump and when you remove the distributor it wont come out with it cause the skirt.if it does you could drop it in the pan then your pulling the motor.sounds like your pulling the pan my friend. i did that once.lol

 

[5spd GT]

no you are supposed to put the shaft in from the bottom then put the oil pump on it and bolt the pump in. then the distributor slides down onto it in the hole.the little skirt is to hold the shaft down in the pump and when you remove the distributor it wont come out with it cause the skirt.if it does you could drop it in the pan then your pulling the motor.sounds like your pulling the pan my friend. i did that once.lol

Yep and those little 'skirts' (sleeves) are kind of tricky to get on straight without bending a tooth...

 

[90_Red_LX]

Well, if I have to pull the pan I could take a gamble and drop it without the retainer and hope it doesn't fall in the pan. If it does I would've needed to do it anyways.

 

[5spd GT]

Well, if I have to pull the pan I could take a gamble and drop it without the retainer and hope it doesn't fall in the pan. If it does I would've needed to do it anyways.

Just remember next time when you pull the distributor, you may need to pull the engine out if the shaft comes out and falls with it

Also, when you go to stab the distributor, you may not get it right the first time and may have to pull it out to restab it. Then the shaft is in danger again...

That can't be fun...

 

[90_Red_LX]

Just remember next time when you pull the distributor, you may need to pull the engine out if the shaft comes out and falls with it

Also, when you go to stab the distributor, you may not get it right the first time and may have to pull it out to restab it. Then the shaft is in danger again...

That can't be fun...

Good point. How much trouble would it be to jack the motor, drop the pan down, and slip the shaft in from the bottom? It's almost ready to fire as it sits, and this pisses me off bad enough without having to pull the motor. I dunno what to do if the motor needs to be pulled. If I can do it that way, what about the oil pan gaskets? The motor hasn't been fired, so would the gaskets be alright? Just resilicone the edges?

 

[408gt91]

listen i know this is hack but hear me out. silicon the shaft to the distributor it works.just every time you pull the distributor the shaft will come with it and when your timing it your pulling it from the oil pump not the distributor.

 

[5spd GT]

If you are using the stock style oil pan gaskets (metal insides), you can reuse them...

I hate to say it, but it might almost be easier to put in the shaft with the engine out.

It would be awfully tight and cumbersome trying to do it under the car, and I imagine a lot of cussing

Plus I like to check the clearance between the sleeve on the shaft and the 'wall' that stops it from coming up. If you got the shaft down towards the ground to much, it can come out. If you have it to close to the wall, it can leave the sleeve fragments in the engine because it would rub off on the 'wall'...

I'd pull it man, I know that isn't what you want to hear...and is easier said than done...

You coud do what 408gt said, but that is up too you...I'm just a perfectionist...

 

[408gt91]

i did that before with a 306 for a year,it worked till i felt like pulling the engine.fill the hole in the distributor with silicon put the shaft in push the air out and it almost acts as a suction cup then when you pull on it it pulls back so it wont fall out.

 

[90_Red_LX]

I'm gonna sleep on it before I decide what to do. I've done so much to it just to rip it apart, but on the other hand I'm not keen on hacks. However, I'm ready for her to run.