To braze or not to braze - Oil Pump Pickup

[Mike B.]

Gentlemen,

Conventional wisdom suggests that tack welding the oil pickup tube to the pump body is cheap insurance. Can someone suggest the best method? I have access to a gas torch and a mig welder. Is brazing a better choice for the dissimilar metals? The pump and pickup are both new. The tube tapped in perfectly with the use of a home-made pipe driver.

Thank you,
Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: To braze or not to braze - Oil Pump Pickup

Mike-----

Braze it or mig weld it. However, first remove the pump cover and the pressure relief spring. Make sure, though, that you have the screen adjusted correctly with respect to fitment in the oil pan. Obviously, you won't be able to change this after you braze or weld it.

[Mark #28455]

Didn't do it ONCE

About 20 years ago, I had a 454 built and when it suddenly lost oil pressure after only about 3000 miles, guess what I found? The machinist didn't bother to weld the pickup and it had fallen out. Wiped out the crank and bearings, and he refused to fix it unless I paid for the regrind and parts!

Since then, I have been assembling all my own engines "by the book" and have not had any more problems.

I would NEVER assemble a Chevy engine without welding the pickup.

Mark

[Joe C.]

Re: To braze or not to braze - Oil Pump Pickup

Mike,

Instead of brazing, I always centerpunch the pump cover around the annulus of the pickup contact, in at least 16 points, all around, to increase the press fit on the tube. Always works for me.

Joe

[Clem Z.]

clamp it

after market sells a strap the clamps around the pickup tube and uses one of the bottom pump bolts to hold it in place. easier than welding or brazing. if you TIG weld use stainless wire as it seems to work the best.

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: To braze or not to braze - Oil Pump Pickup

What about an epoxy, like a JB weld?

[J M.]

Recommended Clearance

What is the recommended clearance to the bottom of the pan? 3/8"? 1/2"?

[Clem Z.]

Re: Recommended Clearance

3/8" to 1/2" is good no closer than 3/8"

[Joe L.]

Re: To braze or not to braze - Oil Pump Pickup

Scott----

Actually, I think that an epoxy like JB Weld will work quite well for this application. It's plenty strong enough to retain the oil screen tube and it can be applied without heat. I've used it for this purpose. I hate to suggest it to folks since many think that an epoxy is "kid's stuff".