Oil pump pickup to pan clearance question

[DusterDave]

I brought home my 440 block from the machine shop yesterday. They opened up the tap and oil passages so I can use a 1/2" Hemi pickup.
I checked the clearance between the bottom of the pickup and the bottom of the pan, and there is only 1/8" clearance. I think it should be more like 1/2", but not certain. Shortening and rewelding the tube is not a problem for me. Anyone know the correct clearance?

[Mopar_Maniac]

I hope it's not a stupid question, but did you check it with or without the gasket thickness included?
I try to set mine at 1/4 inch.

Good luck,

Jeff C.

[DusterDave]

Hey 'Maniac,
That's not a stupid question, in fact, I didn't consider the gasket thickness, plus the thickness of the windage tray, and I think I need an additional gasket (one on each side of the windage tray). I didn't buy the gaskets yet, but I should see at least 1/8" to 3/16" more clearance after the gaskets are compressed. That will easily get the 1/4" clearance you mentioned. The last 440 I built was 12 years ago, will I need the extra pan gasket for the windage tray?

[This message has been edited by DusterDave (edited June 04, 2000).]

[440 Jim]

I put the 8 qt Moroso pan and 1/2" pickup on my 440. The instructions say the pickup should be 3/16 to 3/8 inch off the bottom of the pan. So shooting for 1/4" is fine.

I had to estimate the compressed gasket thickness for the two oil pan gaskets plus the windage tray too. Small changes in clearance can be obtained by bending the pickup tube, usually it doesn't take much.

Good Luck,


------------------
440 Jim
E-Body Fish

[Mopar_Maniac]

Duster...yes you need 2 gaskets when using the windage tray package. When I did my last big block oil pan with windage tray I measured one (1) gasket and the tray thickness and used that as my "installed" thickness. One more tip...install a magnetic drain plug and check the clearance's of crankshaft to windage tray. The last thing you need is to find out after installing the engine that the crank hits the tray when spinning...it makes a grown man wanna cry.

Later,
Jeff C.

[DartGT66]

If using a Mopar Hemi pan and a Mopar Hemi pick up, the pick up should be against the bottom of the pan. If using an aftermarket open bottom suction pick up, then you should follow the pan/pick up makers instructions. For stock style pick ups, they should be slightly preloaded agakinst the panbottom. That's the way I have them, and they work.