911rsq

What should the clearance (gap) be between the bottom of the oil pan and the oil pickup (screen)? I am ready to bolt the pump on and set the pickup depth, bolt the oil pan on and drop her in... I just don't know how much space shoudl be between the pickup and the pan.....

ede

1/4" more or less

911rsq

Thanks..... I sent you a PM, just to verify...

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

NO NO NO!!!!! 1/4" is way too tight. Please don't set it to that.

3/8" min. 1/2" max. I shoot for 7/16"

sure 1/8", 1/4" etc will work, but here's what will happen...

Your oil pressure will be fine at idle and lower rpm's, but as soon as RPM's comes up, they wont be enough space between the pan and pick up for the oil. The pick-up that won't get any oil to pump cavitates as it spins and fails to pump oil, and results in oil pressure drops untill rpms are lowered no matter how much oil is over the pick-up


Use a sliding T square to check clearance. Turn pan upside down, lay gasket on it and measure from the bottom of the pan's sump to the top of gasket.. Write number down

Place gasket on engine block's pan rail, now measure from top of gasket to the top of oil pickup... Write number down.

The diff in the 2 numbers is your clearance.

Move pick up till you get 3/8" to 1/2" clearance

911rsq

I sent a few PM's to people on here that I know build engines and I got all kinds of answers......
I decided it was time to go to the source. I sent an email to Melling Engine Parts, the company who actually makes the pumps and pickups and they just sent me back an email.....

911rsq

Ahhhhh.....here is thier reply....straight from the source....

Thanks to all who helped out in this and replied to my question.