Thread: 289 Oil Pump Failure x2

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I've got a 66 289 and I did some top-end work and went ahead and put in a new oil pump while I had it out of the car. I had about 11 hrs on the motor when the oil pump locked up. So I replaced it, then I get about an hour run time on the motor and go to test it down the street and it bleeds off pressure later to find another oil pump failure. Any Clues?

Not right off.... The obvious question is what brand of oil pump are you using????

If memory serves me right the pick-up on the pump is a pain to get located properly when installing the pan. Yours could have moved and is not sitting in the right position in the pan.

its either pickup failure or a piece of junk pump.... you're not buying a rebuild are you? i personally reccomend the clevite high voulme pumps, they tend to do a good job in the SBF

I've been using Melling pumps and I thought they were a quality unit but on second thought.........

Man, that is strange indeed!!!! I've used Melling pumps for years...... Did you open up either of the pumps to see what was going wrong inside???? Only oil pump failure I've ever had was on a 351W. I think that was a combination of cavitation and a bad oil pump drive. You didn't possibly end up with an oil pump shaft that is too long, and putting too much push on the oil pump??? What weight oil are you using??? Other then that, I'm at a loss. Sounds like it's time for a call to Melling!!!!

Please post pictures of the pump rotor, casing, and end plate so we can help you determine the mode of failure. Once we know why the pump failed, we can look into the motor to see what is wrong with the motor and is causing the pump failure.

I had a 68 that was prone to twisting off the the pump rod. I found it was due to junk in the pan getting past the screen and hanging up the pump.
It was due to Ford putting a plastic coating on the cam gear to keep the chain from making noise.
It worked, when the rod twisted off the motor would get hot and stop. NO MORE NOISE!

Any crap from the top end could get in the pump too. Seen a couple that had lifter snap rings in them. Amazing what will go through that screen.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

If memory serves me right the pick-up on the pump is a pain to get located properly when installing the pan. Yours could have moved and is not sitting in the right position in the pan.

This would be my first thought as well. Put a piece of clay on the bottom of the screen about the size of a ballpoint pen and about an inch long. With no oil in the pan, lift the pan into place against the block, then pull it off and check the clay. About 3/8" to 1/2" off the bottom of the pan would be a good position for the screen.

I use a wad of tinfoil since the granddaughter hides the clay in out of the way places.