Oil Pump Shaft on Distributer install trick


BigTirez

15+ Year Member

Joined
Dec 10, 2007
Messages
27
Points
3,101
Age
55
Vehicle Year
1984
Transmission
Manual
Okay.....putting this thing back together and wondering what the trick is to make sure that the shaft on the distributer doesn't fall into the oil pan. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
well, how did you get it out in the first place. thats designed to go in from the bottom unless somebody removed the clip. if you have to put it in that way, just take a punch and 'peen' the sides of the shaft so it will swell and put it in the distributor and install. that should keep it in the distributor while you put it in.

edit/// nevermind. im thinking of a 5.0
 
it simply came out with the distributer

It came out while removing the distributer but I managed to keep ahold of it so it didn't fall back in because I am familiar with that happening on small block chevys. With a chevy you can feel the "cup" that it goes into on the oil pump....with this 2.8 it seems like it could just drop off into oblivion.
 
On the 2.8 I'm mostly finished building (just finished painting, and awaiting final assembly and re-installation) the only way to remove and install it was by removing the oil pump. The rod I removed and the new one I installed both had a clip pressed onto them. Afore mentioned clip should prevent it from coming out through the distributor opening. IIRC from the way it looked it could drop off into oblivion (AKA bottom of oil pan). If I were going to try to just slide it back in I'd probably try a pair of very strong mechanical mechanical fingers and make sure it's seated before you release.
 
did you get the oil pump shaft back in?
 
Nope.....haven't tried yet.....ran into issues getting passenger side exhaust manifold bolts out.....I am also afraid that the bolt that holds the exhaust crossover tube thingy on is going to twist off ....think I can just leave that attached to both exhaust manifolds and simply slide the new gasket in place when I get the new heads on ....or at least that i what I am hoping for....

wish I would have pulled the darn motor out to do the heads.....this is taking much linger than anticipated.
 
i know what you mean,i went through it about march or april and yes,you can get the gaskets in there.i broke 2 bolts on drivers side exhaust.i took the heads off w/motor in truck and it takes awhile,but it can be done.my oil pump shaft stayed in when i removed the distributor.i saw your post and i didn't know what to say.hang in there and post them questions.
 
Thanks man.....I guess I will just peen the oil pump shaft like suggested and hope for the best....I think I might take tomorrow off work and extend the weekend so I get her up and running. Do I have to take the carb off to get the intake off? It looks like I can just use a box end wrench to get to the intake bolts.......

once again, thanks for the help
 
i did,you'll be better off when you torque the intake down.
 
awe man, that means I need to go get a couple more gaskets then doesn't it.....I didn't think about how I would get the socket on there for the torque wrench...maybe I can use a swivel socket???? (hoping)
 
sorry,i bought a head kit w/all the gaskets.i don't know about the swivel,it might work.fun,ain't it.
 
Hmmm, I bought the head kit and it didn't have the gasket for the carb to the spacer and from the spacer to the manifold, it did contain the manifold gasket though.....I just hate to separate the carb from the intake when it doesn't leak and has probably been there since 84......yes, it fun though!!!
 
there is no gaskets for that stupid plastic spacer, the spacer is the gasket, thank you Ford!

The gasket is actually laminated to the spacer...

The 2.8 is quite a unique motor to work on!:icon_confused:
 
Well, it is back together and running like a champ, thanks for all of your guys help. I actually used permatex to temporarily glue the shaft into the distributor so I could install it......must have worked because I have oil pressure. Once again, thanks for all of the help.
 
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