Pressed on oil pump pickups - alternative to welding them on

This is for pressed on oil pump pickups as used on SBC and Pontiac engines.

The traditional way is to weld/braze them on but I am crap at Tig'ing cast iron with a Si Bronze rod so was looking into alternatives.


I did some searching and found that some engine builders prefer to use a set-screw to hold them on, so I tried that with an old pump and pickup I had to see how it would work.


Drilled and tapped the pump cover and used a 1/4 UNC set screw and it holds the pickup very securely and with a new pickup pressed in it would be even better.

On final assembly I would definitely loctite the set-screw in and possibly stake the hole as well to stop it backing out.


Has anyone else tried doing it this way, and how has it worked for them?

 

Good idea, I like that better then welding them on for sure.

 

here is a strap welded on pipe and i used one of the oil pump screws

 

Looks like the grub screw is in deep enough that you could lightly peen over the edges of the threaded hole too.

 

...and you could drill from the side instead of the bottom. Another cool idea.

 

I've never had anything come loose using green locktite, the label used to say, use instead of welding

 

Better take a 5/16 bit and dimple the pickup where the set screw holds it and use a cone point set screw if you want it to hold.

 

This, they have them for both 5/8" and 3/4" tubes, under $10, TR

 

That's pretty cool, never seen one before, do you mind sharing where one is available. I'm building a motor now, looks like a cheap investment

 

I been tacking the tubes onto the pump for a local machine shop - been doing it for about 25 years i'd guess and i just hit it with 2 or 3 little tacks and i use regular rod. I tack it very quick with high heat and cool it with water or wd40 if it is handy. None have ever come off, i woud have known if they had for sure!
Traditions Racing, that new avatar of yours is a killer!

 

Some new pumps have two threaded holes and use a pick up with a flange.Costs a little more of course and they are available in standard volume.

 

Hell I taked the one in the small block that won't quit with a wire welder well over 100,000 miles ago. It is still stuck and last time I had the pan off for inspection (about 80K) it was still firmly tacked in place.

I think the set screw is a good idea, actually an excellent idea and definately thinking outside of the box. More than a dooable process for someone who is not sure of their welding skills or doesn't have access to a welder.

 

Jegs, part# 555-23620 5/8", and 555-23621 3/4" tube, MADE IN U.S.A., hope that helps, TR

 

Be sure to clean fastner threads with laquer thinner, air dry, and then loc-tite any type of oil pick up tube bracketry, and you wil be good to go, TR

 

Nice alternative.

 

Make sure that when the set screw is tighten it does not distort the pickup tube and end up with it sucking air looks like it would be easy to do be carful.

 

Thanks TR, it appreciated. I did take the time to do a search, but I was looking for a pickup bracket and came up with nothing, it appears the proper search word was retainer!!

Jim

 

That is why I made the suggestion that I did in my first post. A cone tip set screw does not have to use pressure to hold something. A flat point uses pressure to hole something in place.

Like I have already said this is good thinking I am just giving a better option on the set screw, or perhaps it is a different option.

 

The Melling pump I used in the last 400SBC I built had a pickup tube with a small plate attached and it bolted to the pump body with two screws. I just put a drop of Loctite on the screws.

 

Hmmm.....

Putting a lot of faith in a screw that could possibly loosen. I'll stick to a tack weld.

Nice idea though!

 

I get your point Beaner and I know you have taken shit apart that other people have done. tight is tight and two tight is expensive. Some people just dont get it if you know what I mean.

 

Actually, the dog-point would be one step better if it had an accompanying hole drilled in the tube.

Of course, if a fella was ambitious, he could weld a thicker section of threaded tube to the stock pickup and thread the pump for a screw in option.

.

 

Weld a washer to the tube and then safety wire through the washer to the pump.

 

Heres my favorite alternative that we use quite often......................MOROSO. No P/U tube,

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I did consider drilling into the tube slightly to give the set screw something to grab on to, but the screw I used has a cup-point which bit into the tube just fine so don't think that is needed (you can see the marks in the first picture).

There is no sign of any distortion of the pickup-tube from the set screw either so don't think that will be an issue but I will probably put some loctite sleeve retainer in there as well just in case.

 

You must know someone that can weld, I do not like screws in the oil system.