65 L84 Oil Pump

[Bill W.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

Joe,
I didn't know it was still available. Thanks, Bill

[John M.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

Joe, Duke, Bill and all,
I ordered another M55 on the recommendation of a couple of guys who have used lots of them. In this case, for me, it's certainly not about the money. The M55 is $28.95 and I got the pump, the shaft, the pickup screen and the delivery for $60.00.
If I'd waited till this thread had gotten this far I would have gotten the M10553, $86.00.
This car may never see 6500RPM; it won't be babied but it won't be drag raced.
Thanks for all the replies. Great info as usual.
John

[John M.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

Regarding the original Melling M55 oil pump. I was mistaken when I had zero oil pressure. I was sending oil onto the garage floor because the distributor oil line was removed to make it possible to re-index the dist gear.
My apologies to Melling (although the thing still clicks when rotated with the primer tool.) The car is now running, not well yet, but it has a nice steady 60psi warm oil pressure.
John

[Joe C.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

The M55 is a standard volume pump. The 10553 has more reinforcement and is less prone to cracking at the neck. The M55 pump has a "55" or "M55" casting mark on it. The purple (pink) spring relieves at 70 psig and the yellow spring relieves at 58 psig:

http://www.melling.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=nn2s4R4eSHI%3d&tabid=221

[Clem Z.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

there has been stories on the web about the std pump breaking off but i would guess this only happens with wheel standing drag cars and race cars run on a rough dirt track

[John H.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

there has been stories on the web about the std pump breaking off but i would guess this only happens with wheel standing drag cars and race cars run on a rough dirt track

The M55 pump on the left in Joe's photo above appears to be the older trouble-free M55 they've made for decades; photo below is the "new" M55 with the thinner lightweight ribbed casting, and the warning sheet that comes with it. I'd stick with the Select 10553 pump, which is the same as the "old" M55.


MellingWeakPump.jpgOilPumpWarningMelling.jpg

[Dan D.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

I pulled the new wimpy M55 out of my 327 and put in a 10553 before I even ran it, based on the threads in this forum from last year. Also bought a 'green' 45lb. spring from Melling. Look in the archives. Much info on this issue. -Dan-

[John M.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

The Melling pump in my L84 was purchased about 2 years ago on the recommendation of people here. I don't remember any piece of paper with mention of "solid engines" in the package (maybe it was the old model.) That statement should have said "If you want one that works use the 10553." I'm leaving the M55 in the car and it has nothing to do with the cost; the 10553 is about $80. Would a company like Melling sell me something that "might fail."
Does anyone know of one that has failed. Mind you, I will be watching the oil pressure gage.
John

[John M.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

Maybe the solid motor mounts cause some out of phase vibration, causing it to self destruct...

[Clem Z.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

Maybe the solid motor mounts cause some out of phase vibration, causing it to self destruct...

the race cars have solid mounts. see #20 post above. even with the stronger pump i always used a brace to the main cap bolt on the oil pump in race engines.

[Dan D.]

Re: 65 L84 Oil Pump

The Melling pump in my L84 was purchased about 2 years ago on the recommendation of people here. I don't remember any piece of paper with mention of "solid engines" in the package (maybe it was the old model.) That statement should have said "If you want one that works use the 10553." I'm leaving the M55 in the car and it has nothing to do with the cost; the 10553 is about $80. Would a company like Melling sell me something that "might fail."
Does anyone know of one that has failed. Mind you, I will be watching the oil pressure gage.
John

There was a report on the forum last year of one that failed and resulting loss of engine. Check the archives.
For a little additional cost, use the 10553 - then you don't have to worry about it. -Dan-