Pickup to pan clearance, play-doh, and pictures...Where to set pickup depth?
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Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,068
From: Kernersville, NC
Pickup to pan clearance, play-doh, and pictures...Where to set pickup depth?
Guys,
I've been having an oiling issue which is referenced in this thread.....
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=703486
I have the engine on the stand and have checked the pickup to pan clearance with play-doh(stock oil pan). The oil pan gasket used was a new blue Fel-Pro.
This is the setting from GM.
Is the pickup too far away from the pan? The edge of the pickup is very close to slant in the pan. Also, I think the Fel-Pro pan gasket is a bit thicker than stock, so it may have moved the pan away from the pan(I don't have a stock gasket to compare the two).
I don't know if this is part of the cause of my oiling issues, but I am going to replace both the oil pump, pickup, and leave the stock pressure spring in the pump(I do have a white high pressure one in the current pump).
Laying a straight edge across the pickup and measuring to the block deck; the end of the pickup is right on top of 7.5 inches.
Should I set up the new one like this? Do I need to go with a different pickup or keep the stock style?
I also checked the crank endplay. 0.0055". Some research suggested that my issue could be too much end play......my Dad said my issue was not endplay and with that measurement above, I agree.
Any opinions are welcome.
I've been having an oiling issue which is referenced in this thread.....
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=703486
I have the engine on the stand and have checked the pickup to pan clearance with play-doh(stock oil pan). The oil pan gasket used was a new blue Fel-Pro.
This is the setting from GM.
Is the pickup too far away from the pan? The edge of the pickup is very close to slant in the pan. Also, I think the Fel-Pro pan gasket is a bit thicker than stock, so it may have moved the pan away from the pan(I don't have a stock gasket to compare the two).
I don't know if this is part of the cause of my oiling issues, but I am going to replace both the oil pump, pickup, and leave the stock pressure spring in the pump(I do have a white high pressure one in the current pump).
Laying a straight edge across the pickup and measuring to the block deck; the end of the pickup is right on top of 7.5 inches.
Should I set up the new one like this? Do I need to go with a different pickup or keep the stock style?
I also checked the crank endplay. 0.0055". Some research suggested that my issue could be too much end play......my Dad said my issue was not endplay and with that measurement above, I agree.
Any opinions are welcome.
Last edited by ACE1252; Sep 24, 2009 at 05:56 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 857
From: Washington, Michigan USA
Yep, from the looks of your photo ....... your pickup is set waaaaay to high off the pan "floor". 
In a "perfect" set up (i.e. where the pump pickup is always "perfectly even" with the pan floor), you would want a uniform gap of between 1/4" to 3/8". In the "real" world, however, there is often a "slant" to the pickup with respect to the oil pan "floor", so you aim for an average gap of between 1/4" and 3/8".
Like RUDEDOG said ....... leave the pickup loose ...... install the oil pan you are going to use, without any oil pan gasket on it, and let the oil pan contact the pickup to set the depth. Then remove the oil pan and swing the pickup another 1/8" away from the contact setting ..... and then ..... when you install the pan with the pan gasket ...... you should be all set.
In a "perfect" set up (i.e. where the pump pickup is always "perfectly even" with the pan floor), you would want a uniform gap of between 1/4" to 3/8". In the "real" world, however, there is often a "slant" to the pickup with respect to the oil pan "floor", so you aim for an average gap of between 1/4" and 3/8".
Like RUDEDOG said ....... leave the pickup loose ...... install the oil pan you are going to use, without any oil pan gasket on it, and let the oil pan contact the pickup to set the depth. Then remove the oil pan and swing the pickup another 1/8" away from the contact setting ..... and then ..... when you install the pan with the pan gasket ...... you should be all set.
Last edited by 97 6SPEED Z; Sep 24, 2009 at 08:56 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 488
From: Schaumburg, IL
Agreed.....you only want 3/8" max gap, otherwise under acceleration you you will uncover the pickup causing a drop or complete loss of oil pressure then you destroy bearings. In stead of just pushing the pickup into the pump, you should run it to any shop (or if you have a welder) and put a tack on the pickup to pump body. GM didn't do that from the factory and the old SBC's were notorious for having the pickup shift and causing aeration issues. Since the bottom end of the LT is no different than that of the original 283 aside from the one piece rear main, it would reason that you would want to do it to your pump as well. Fix that and you'll probably fix your oil issues.....
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