oil pump locking up

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Feb 17, 2008 | 05:37 PM

spdeplayer2

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oil pump locking up

my 1975 f-150 w/460, the oil pump keeps locking up and shearing the keeper pin on the distributor gear, i have replaced the pump,distributor,timing chain and gear, any suggestions to the cause of this problem? I can unlock the pump replace the pin and it works for awhile and then it locks up again.

Feb 17, 2008 | 09:47 PM

masterbeavis

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From: Eldorado Ca. USA

I have no suggestions. What weight of oil are you running, and how cold is it when the problem happens. What engine, how many miles, any upgrades made to the motor?

Feb 17, 2008 | 10:27 PM

Mil1ion

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Have you replaced the cam recently ?

This is a prime cause for pin shear.

Feb 18, 2008 | 01:16 AM

beechkingd

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I had the same thing happen on my '73 t-bird about 15 years ago. Some dry rotted seals that made there way to the oil pump and were periodically locking it up. I think they were from something in the valve train. I changed the pump, cleaned up the pan and it ran until I wrecked the car a few months later.

Feb 18, 2008 | 02:12 PM

PerfDistIgnition

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Quote:

Originally Posted by spdeplayer2

Topic 2: Excessive Distributor Gear Wear on Ford

Excessive distributor gear wear can be a problem with Ford engines. Most of the time, the problem is a result from the use of a high volume oil pump. High volume oil pumps put a lot of stress on the distributor and cam gears. A high volume oil pump is not necessary on a street driven engine that turns no more than 7000 rpms. Only extreme racing engines require the high volume pump. Should you use this type of oil pump, the following precautions will save your distributor gear from early destruction.

(1) Drill a .030" hole in the lifter/oil galley plug behind the distributor. This will allow additional lubrication on the distributor and cam gears. This will not lower oil pressure enough to hurt the engine.

(2) Ford oil pump mounting brackets have elongated holes. Due to this, the distributor shaft and oil pump shaft should be aligned so that the distributor turns freely before tightening the mounting bracket bolts. Failure to do this will cause a binding situation, thus damaging the gear.

(3) Stock Ford hex oil pump drive shafts are know to vary in length which could cause a bottoming or binding situation.

(4) Brass distributor gears can be used to avoid damaging the cam gear. Brass gears are softer and can wear out quicker than the cast gear, but will not cause damage to the cam gear. If using a brass gear, check it occasionally for wear.

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Feb 18, 2008 | 04:12 PM

masterbeavis

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From: Eldorado Ca. USA

So, what your quoted FAQ is stating, his cam gear might be worn? He replaced everything else, and still has the problem. I rekon a pair of gears will wear on each other, and when you replace one of them with a new one, the worn one will accelerate the wear of the new one, or the old one will disintegrate. Would a cam swap be a reasonable solution for this problem, assuming his oil pump drive shaft is not bent? (I have had that happen before.)