I read this description written by Tom T. back in 2011 while searching this forum and was wondering if it still holds true today. "Another caution is about the Melling oil pumps. You need to check for binding & that the pump sits flush on the block. Machining wasn't properly finished & even though the pump looks mounted properly & DOESN'T bind it could suck air from the corner that sticks up not flush with the block." I need a new one for my 401 and they seem to be the only player in that niche. Steve
As far as I know there has been NO corrective action taken on their part. I DO have an NOS pump I've been saving for myself that I bought yrs. ago when they were still available from GM. Many of the originals CAN be rebuilt depending on what's worn. Tom T.
Also have to do the powdered metal test on the gears. They seize or shatter from particulates, rather than embed. Some spin on the shafts from supposedly not enough press and require pinning? Russ martin might have info on his site, or call him. I would rebuild a stocker before spending valuable time correcting and beefing up a new one.
The first photo is from my other thread, "Interference Fit". The others are what I found inside. Both 'gears' are worn on one end, the bottom plate shows offset wear and the shaft hole in the body doesn't look great. With the shaft installed in the body there is some looseness but I don't know what is acceptable. Would you guys fix this one? Steve
My determination of that is whether the customer would pay for the time required to it to my comfort level. I tend not to repair, esp. service items. I modify things as needed for extreme duty, no expense spared if necessary. So, probably no. If it were mine, maybe...depending on how it inspects.
