Help identifying this rod
Tuned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 413
Likes: 52
That is the oil pump drive shaft. Top end is driven by the distributor and the bottom end goes into the pump. They have a tendency to lift out if stuck to the distributor and they end up in the pan, It could be that this happened in the past and they put a new drive in. If the distributor is removed, look down and see if you can see a new shaft - or pull the pump and ensure that the pump shaft is installed. The consequences of no shaft are dramatic and swift.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 73
Likes: 12
From: Tucson
If I'm not mistaken, the circular flange on that shaft should be up against the BOTTOM surface of the intake manifold so the distributor could be pulled without feat of having the shaft pull out of the oil pump.
Tuned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 413
Likes: 52
Here are some pictures and diagrams - https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog...oping-magnets/
Usually when they fall out, the snap ring will slip as the distributor is pulled up and you'll hear a clink or thud as the driveshaft hits the pan. To install it, the pump is removed. The fact that the snap ring is still on the shaft may indicate that it did indeed slip or that the shaft simply wasn't installed. If you blow up the picture, it sure looks like the ring/stop has slid down the shaft about 3/4". After market shafts will be machined with a groove to minimize the possibility of an unintended pump drive shaft drop.
If a new shaft was installed, it won't have the stop and it will probably drop in the future so it should be replaced.
Usually when they fall out, the snap ring will slip as the distributor is pulled up and you'll hear a clink or thud as the driveshaft hits the pan. To install it, the pump is removed. The fact that the snap ring is still on the shaft may indicate that it did indeed slip or that the shaft simply wasn't installed. If you blow up the picture, it sure looks like the ring/stop has slid down the shaft about 3/4". After market shafts will be machined with a groove to minimize the possibility of an unintended pump drive shaft drop.
If a new shaft was installed, it won't have the stop and it will probably drop in the future so it should be replaced.
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Trailering
Joined: Dec 2022
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I'm in Fort Collins. I appreciate the offer. Sure could use the help from time to time, but Littleton is a stretch. My son and I are putting our 390 back into the truck after a rebuild. I'm nervous about the first cold start - making sure all of the fluids are in and primed, electrical is hooked back up properly, etc. Only one way to learn sometimes - just do it 
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Tuned
Joined: May 2015
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As long as you have an oil pump drive in it you should be fine. Prime the oiling system before starting and confirm that you have oil pressure during the prime and immediately after startup. If you get into trouble, you're not that far away that I can't come up to help.
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As long as you have an oil pump drive in it you should be fine. Prime the oiling system before starting and confirm that you have oil pressure during the prime and immediately after startup. If you get into trouble, you're not that far away that I can't come up to help.
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