I decided to replce my oil pump while the engine is out. I put the new oil pump in, sealed down the pan, and a while later I realized i forgot the little plastic sleeve that goes around the oil pump driveshaft and oil pump shaft. Its about 3/4" long, it slides halfway onto the oil driveshaft and the other half onto the shaft coming out of the oil pump. I also alreayd have the rebuilt trans bolted up to the engine. Should I pull the pan off and put this piece on or will it be fine without it?

 

Been my experience that if it is part of the assembly, then it most likely has a purpose...I don't know, but I think I would put it in just to be safe.

 

that plastic thing connects the oil pump to the oil pump shaft which then connects to the distributor. is IS REQUIRED if not that shaft will fall out and *** everything up. what i would do is remove the pan and install a aftermarket all metal oil pump shaft. that plastic POS could break at anytime....??

 

Definitely required. Without it, the drive rod will slip off of the oil pump, the top of the gear will be destroyed, and your engine will have no oil pressure.

But, don't use it. It is garbage. I have known 2 of them to fail in engines I have had dealings with (neither of them was my own or one I had built, fortunately). Instead, get a drive rod with a metal sleeve. Either a Melling IS-55E, or a Moroso one. The Melling one is less than $10.

 

You MAY be able to install the sleeve through the distributor hole - maybe.

 

Usually those nylon pieces only play nice if its on the pump first and you clicp the shaft into it. If youput it on the shaft first then slide it on the pump it rarely clips right.


Take it apart now instead of having to take it apart after the engine is back in the car.