Hey all, I had a quick question regarding the intermediate shaft coming off the oil pan. So I was wondering why I wasn't getting any oil and then I found this:

 

So I bought a new pump, screen and shaft and installed it, but when we pulled the distributor we noticed that it seemed really locked up, and wouldn't spin unless you twisted really hard on it. Does it sound like something got bent in the distributor? Should I just buy a new distributor?

 

Oh, and the last question I had was regarding the intermediate shaft. What is the point of the retaining clip thing on it? Is there a right side up with that shaft? It seems like it doesn't matter which side is up, but please correct me if I am wrong.

 

Wow, that thing really barber poled up didn't it?

Yeah some investigatin' is in order. It's possible the oil pump itself is lunched, just a small bit of debris sucked up past the screen can do it, I guess. I would pull the distributor if you haven't already and make sure it is in good order and disciplined. The distributor gear has a roll pin that might shear when things lock up. Remember the camshaft drives the distributor which in turn drives the oil pump, via the shaft. Something locked up, probably the oil pump? But the distributor sounds like it's horked, too.

The intermediate shaft clip keeps the shaft from dropping down into the oil pan or, coming out with the distributor, when removing same. It sometimes gets left out by previous mechanics. No big deal, unless or until the shaft drops down into the pan during distributor removal. Then, people will typically say very, very bad things about both your ancestry as well as what they would consider the most suitable circumstances for your untimely demise (if you're the culprit). It should be installed on the oil pump end. The "pointy" of the shaft actually seems to do better on the distributor end - it helps guide the hex end in when re-installing the distributor. This can be a pain sometimes to get it all lined up according to Hoyle. Be sure to hold yer tongue just right.

 

Oil pump was completely seized. Replaced it and the screen. Cleaned up the pan real good. Got a new intermediate shaft, but I haven't replaced the distributor yet.
Do you have any tips regarding the distributor? I thought I remembered reading that I should save some portions of it, and that the new ones were junky or something like that. Can't find the post right now.

 

This is a 1973 year model F250? That was right around the time points & condenser went bye-bye. Is it an electronic ignition distributor? The next question would be, where did you get it, and who made it? It's an important component. The "rebuilds" can be a real crapshoot.

 

'73 will be points and condenser unless it's been converted to electronic.
Also, from the looks of that shaft I would also give a close inspection the the camshaft. The distributor drive gear could have damaged/broken teeth on it.

 

Along with what others have said you need to really inspect engine over. That could have been a piece of hardened valve stem seal or a chunk of nylon timing gear that seized the pump.