I've had my motor together for a few weeks but have been double checking things. One thing I wasn't certain about was the oil pickup clearance. I used clay to set it but never liked how it was angled/positioned and did a best comprise for levelness.

The pickup is level with the bottom of the pan and is slightly above the oil drain hole.

I've read 3/8" clearance. Obviously I have more than that. I've also read clearance at least same as diameter of pickup.

I'm using a 1997 block/pump/pan. 3/4" pickup tube.

Pan is bolted down and picked is welded to the pump. But I'll take it apart and fix if needed.

 

The oil drain is also lower than the bottom of the pan by about 1/4" or so.

 

 

I took the pan off. Cut the tack weld on the pickup and adjusted.

3/8" at the back, 3/16" at the tip, 5/8" to the screen.