Setting up oil pump

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by Dwayne B, Mar 2, 2018.

  1. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    I haven't got to it yet, I bought A NOS timing cover supposed to be here today .
    I installed my cam and lifters last Saturday. I was thinking I might install my timing set ,and stage one valve springs today.
     
  2. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    The thicker brown gasket goes between the booster plate and the oil pump cover...Done
    The critical clearance is between the booster plate and the gears.
    Heres a pic, maybe it will help clarify.
    First pic is the brown gasket that goes against the booster plate.
    Second pic is the oil pump cover against the brown gasket .
    Third pic is the only critical measurement... gear end clearance, this is where you use different shims (gaskets) to set gear end clearance. I'm using the green shim/gasket.
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    Thanks Mark
    What LBS spring do you think I should go with.
     
  4. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    60 psi.
    Remember when the engine and oil is cold, IT WILL exceed 60 psi max pressure at very light throttle because the oil is thicker cold.
    ANY TRUE hot idle pressure, or MAX wide open throttle pressure can only be verified after the car has been on the highway for 20 minutes or more.
    The reason being is engine oil gets hot only from the engine being under load, IT WILL NOT get up to its max temp from idling in the driveway.
     
  5. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    X2 yep
     
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  6. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    OK thanks
    I wasn't sure on 40 or 60 ,you say 60 that is what I will use.
     
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  7. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    On the pressure relieve valve ,do the holes ,slots, on the side go A certain way,or does that matter.
     
  8. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Nope, makes no difference:D
     
  9. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    doesn't matter.
     
  10. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    OK thanks Mark
    Set up my first Buick oil pump this evening, it wasn't that bad.I was second guessing the pressure valve .

    I want to thank everyone for their help.
     
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  11. 36racin

    36racin Platinum Level Contributor

    Following. Rebuild getting ready to start. Especially like Larrys write up linked to this thread. I only ordered the oil pump....Should I have ordered the booster plate and adjustable regulator?
     
  12. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Did you set the pump gear end clearance?
    Did you pack it with Vaseline so the pump primes.
     
  13. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    Ya ,I got the end clearance set to .002 with A magnetic base Dial indicator, and packed with vaseline.New TA oil seal installed, it should be ready to go.
     
  14. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    I installed A booster plate ,from what I've read is worth doing .I didn't use A adjustable regulator ,I used A 60 psi spring.
     
  15. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The booster plate is a no brainer. The adjustable regulator is optional, you can always shim the spring if you need more pressure. The 60 lb spring should give you plenty.
     
  16. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    There is a nice article on setting up the oil pumps in the GS Extra from the GS club
     
  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  18. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    There you go good deal lol.
     
  19. Jim Blackwood

    Jim Blackwood Well-Known Member

    All good advice. I like to do a little mild porting before setting the pump up, mainly just knock off corners, smooth transitions, deburr, and get rid of restrictions and obstructions. The booster plate seems to help keep the pump output stable and gives a new wear surface. Pack with vaseline of course. I'm also one who like to set the end clearance by feel as the gears are often not perfectly square with the cover and as the engine warms up the clearance will increase because the housing is aluminum and expands more. The TA shim pack is the best. I go for just a little light drag when torqued down cold. Not resistance to turning, just being able to feel it and it's usually only on one side so just a very slight drag as it comes around. That wears in very quickly and you can't get much tighter than that. Given the choice between more drag than that and no drag, I go with no drag usually. No real need for the dial indicator as the shims are in steps of... was it half thousandths? I'd have to check.

    Jim
     
  20. 36racin

    36racin Platinum Level Contributor

    Ok so I will add the booster and make sure I have the 60lb spring. What about the gasket shim kit? Guess I'll need that as well to set the proper clearances. I don't forsee me putting my engine to rpm's that will require or get me to 60lbs of pressure. But who knows :cool::D:rolleyes:
     

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