Melling Oil pump bolts hitting the pan?

NewToFord

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Oct 7, 2008
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Heres my situation. I bought a used shortblock with no oil pan. I have tried two different 5.0 oil pans bought new from the parts store. They both are hitting the bolts from the oil pump. It is a melling oil pump, I'm not sure the model I'd have to check. I have an old assembled 5.0 block here. I measured and the bolts on the melling pump are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch longer than the stocker. And that is where it is hitting the pan. Anybody have this problem? I really do not want to spend $250 for a new canton pan, and I do not want to hammer the bottom of the new pan. Any suggestions? Should I just buy a stock oil pump?
 
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Melling is a big name for high volume oil pumps,, and they do require a sumped oil pan...either buy a new oil pump..or a deep sump pan.

stock should be good for less than 450hp
. ANd dont try to find a stock pan that will fit if you do have a high volume pump cuz you will suck all the oil out of it so fast it wont drain back in time.Thats why people use the deep sump pans. Youd be bying a new short block if you dont.
 
(just dawned on me)...are the 2 blocks the same year? different year engines may have different oil pan depths

i have a 93 that had a 5.0 swapped in it...i had no idea the year until i took off a bad alt. 87 was the only year that had my part number..the bolts/connections didnt line up

. if money is an issue any deep sump pan would work..as long as its for 302 the cheaper the better unless your racing. also a stock oil pump will be cheaper.
 
depending on how much the bolts are hitting, you may try to massage the oil pan with a hammer. it is no big deal to make it fit. are the bolts stock? if you can clay it first, then decide if you really need to go aftermarket pan.
 
When the bolts hit, its usually not by much to keep the pan fron seating down. I've had to swap the bolts out from the stock pump just to make it clear.

On that note, that's not to say that all oil pan are dimensionally the same. So your case may be more severe than the others.

The stock oil pump bolts that I swapped had a thinner head,as compared to the HV pumps.
 
I have tried both the early and late 5.0 oil pans. Neither clear. I will try using the stock bolts from the stock pump. If that does not work I will order a aftermarket oil pan. Will after market pans clear the stock crossmember and long tube headers? Also what should I get a canton? And do I want a front or rear sump pan? Thanks for the help.
 
I had the same problem. The engine in my car is 93 vintage (from a 93 GT). and I used the pan from the old engine because the stock pan would not clear the oil pump. I tried massaging with wooden down and a hammer. no go, heated the pan too to see if it would help. Just couldnt get enough clearance. the othe pan fit fine.... no idea why... took a small sledge to the other pan, for final adjustment.... its now in the scrap pile....
 
I had the same problem. The engine in my car is 93 vintage (from a 93 GT). and I used the pan from the old engine because the stock pan would not clear the oil pump. I tried massaging with wooden down and a hammer. no go, heated the pan too to see if it would help. Just couldnt get enough clearance. the othe pan fit fine.... no idea why... took a small sledge to the other pan, for final adjustment.... its now in the scrap pile....

What kind of pan did you use?


anybody know front or rear sump aftermarket pan that i need?
 
Heres an update. I measured the oil pump compared to the stock oil pump on my old motor. From the block down they measure the same. Then I checked the bolts like stated above. They are the same size however, the bolt heads on the melling pump are about 1/8 longer. I am gonna switch out the bolts and try that. I am just wondering also like stated above if the pump has too much suction for the pan. Do they make different model melling pumps? If it is the same size as the stock pump, I would guess that it is not that crazy of a pump correct?