Ok Ok, I know this is a Buick board but some of you guys seem to pretty darn good with the Brand X stuff too. This is the engine out of my 92 Chev P/U daily driver...well, not so much daily lately. It's a 350 TBI motor. I pulled it originally to replace the oil pump, timing chain and replace the head gaskets since it had a blown one. My question is this: The connection between the oil pump drive shaft and the oil pump is maintained by a small plastic collar, which I can see through. When I put the new pump, new collar and old shaft together, it appears that the shaft only engages about 1/3 to 1/2 way and I should think that iy should go completely into the shaft. The collar seems to fit both ways and it doesn't seem to matter which way I go with it, same result for depth. o No: I did try adding some extra persuasion to the assembly with no change. Am I just being too careful or am I missing something idiot simple? That really isn't hard for a simple idiot like me. I just really don't want to seize this thing and have to put another engine in it.... :af: But then again, I DO have a BBB 400 short block just begging for a chassis, and I HAVE been complaining that the truck doesn't have enough low end grunt....... :Brow: :laugh: HELP!!!
The BBB 400 would be overkill... I have a 92 Chevy standard cab/longbed with the 350 TBI/auto, 3.42 gears and 235,000 miles on it... it will still roast both rear tires from a dead stop.. who needs more low end grunt??? o No: :beer: :bglasses:
You can get that sleeve/coupler in either plastic or metal. Pretty sure it should 'snap' onto the oil pump drive. Don't believe it matters which way it goes on. If you find yourself looking for more power, just install a hyd. roller setup, a 383"(400") crank and a set of Vortec heads.:TU: That will cure what 'ails' it.:grin: Edelbrock or GMPP intake would be good too....the stockers are known for leaking/cracking/warping.
Hold the shaft and pump together, without the collar. The pump and the shaft will each have a groove around the outside, and that's how far they engage. The plastic collar has an internal ridge that snaps into the groove on the pump and the groove in the shaft, and holds the whole works together. I will NEVER EVER use another plastic collar. ARP and many others make oil pump driveshafts with the built-in metal retainer. That's the only way to fly. The '86-87 to '95 small block cylinder heads SUCK for performance. The original TBI intake manifold is rumored to have really poor mixture distribution at higher throttle openings. There is a Genuine GM intake manifold available to drop your TBI system onto Vortec heads. Much better system.
Schurkey: I know what you mean about the manifold and cylinder heads. This thing starts to run out of breath at about 4k RPM and is all done by 4500! Thanks for the tip on the ARP shaft. I will contact Summit and get one right away! Any idea what the part number is for the GMPP manifold? I think Edelbrock makes one too. Every so often, I tow my car trailer with it and it seems to need some help with that. It only has about 85K on it but the stock timing chain was stretched to the point where I could almost jump one tooth! Besides, as far as overkill, I'm of the opinion that just because you have a big gun, doesn't mean you have to use. It's nice to have when you need it though! Thanks for the help and tips guys!
You don't need to go to summit for your steel sleeved oil pump shaft. Any auto parts store should be a ble to get it for you, just specify you want the steel coupler. Jim Burek
The Edelbrock TBI intake is only for the '87-'95 heads.....either that, or get the Vortec heads that have been drilled for the late model pattern. I would just spring for the GMPP intake and get the Vortec heads. **If you add a cam with more than .450" lift - you'd better plan on having the tops of the guides clearanced. Also, the stock Vortec springs are wimpy at best. Get a set of Z28 style springs....or better yet - LS1 style conical springs/retainers. Not cheap, but you know what they say.....gotta pay to play.:Brow: :grin:
