swapped dist. and the oil pump shaft fell into the pan, quick ??

[houstonstangguy]

ok like I said, I was swapping the dist. and the damn oil pump shaft came up with the dist. then before I could grab it, it fell back down and fell into the pan.

What is involved in getting to it and putting it back. this has never happened before and the last time I had the oil pan off was with the motor out to do the stroker.

Do I need to loosen the motor mounts, jack up the motor a little and then remove the pan? what am I forgetting?

thanks

 

[90mustangGT]

Oh that sucks, sorry to hear that. I didn't know the oil pump shaft should come out that easily. Never heard of that happening before.

Lift the motor as far as you can, and I would suggest removing or just loosening the mounts and pulling the rack out or your way.

 

[QDRHRSE]

Did the shaft fall completely out? Or did it just pull out of the oil pump? If so, can you get it with a shop magnet.

There should have been a little clip type thing on the shaft...did you not put it on when you built the motor...that's what that thing was for.

Anyway, if I were you, I would check to see if the shaft is in fact out and rolling around in the pan. If this is the case then you may be able to fish it out through one of the oil drain plugs. It takes so long to do an oil pan while its in the car that I would pull the motor out and do it. You'll probably save a couple of hours that way.

 

[houstonstangguy]

wow thanks guys, thats what I was afraid of, the time consuming part.

That's the thing, I have heard that some pumps come with the shaft ring and some do not. I can't remember but I think it has one and it was used.

it is all the way down in the pan. I wish it was just dislodged and I could get to it, trust me. lol

I soooooo don't want to get down into the oil pan and frankly I really don't even have the time. This little fiasco could take me a little time each day for several days. I am glad I have another car.

thanks guys, if anyone knows of an easier way, please tell me. lol

 

[5.0Droptop]

see if you can find one of those mechanical fingers and reach down in the pan from the dizzy hole and fish for it. Or if you can get one of those long magnet tools down in there and get it that way. it likely landed in the front sump.

 

[houstonstangguy]

Ill have to get a smaller ext. magnet. the one i have won't fit through the hole where the shaft sits below.

thanks though I'll try that.....keep the ideas coming though.