Oil pump drive

[Harleroy]

I'm putting together the 2.9 and I need to know if the oil pump drive shaft goes in from the bottom before the pump or from the top before the distributor. My nephew was helping disassemble it and I thought he took it out from the top but I'd like to make sure.

 

[IMenriched]

thinking that mine went in the top?...there was a star type washer on mine to help hold it in place. & it may not matter....that said some one will confirm or correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Harleroy]

I tried to put oil pump drive shaft in from the top and it didn't seem long enough. The little star ring on the shaft hit the bottom of the distributor hole and wouldn't engage the oil pump. I went ahead and put it in from the bottom. I hope that was right! When I got to looking real close, it appears to me that the ring on the shaft keeps the shaft from lifting out of the oil pump when the distributor is removed. I'm thinking the shaft could lift out of the oil pump and fall off to the side if the retainer ring wasn't there.

 

[Psychopete]

I hope that was right!

You're good!

Pete

 

[mountaindeuce]

You're ok from the bottom as that's how it's supposed to be. Just make sure the shaft stays engaged in the pump, I use a little grease to keep it in there.