View Full Version : engine help please!
Shady302
01-28-2018, 01:21 AM
Help please.
Building my 87 mustang gt 302 engine for my MK4 and my stock oil pan does not fit on engine now.
The oil pump my engine-machine shop got me was the melling M68HV pump. The top, or I guess the bottom of the pumps bolts, hit the original ford oil pan. I don't have the old original pump anymore to compare the new one to. What's worse is the pick up tube, also melling, and seems to be hitting the pan also.
Anyone have this happen too?
Any suggestions on what to do?
Thanks!
Boydster
01-28-2018, 05:26 AM
Obviously you're going to need a different pan to clear your HV pump. I suggest some of the Cantons, as they can be had in 7.5" which shouldn't hang lower than your frame tubes.
CraigS
01-28-2018, 07:33 AM
Do some research on those pumps. Lots of people recommend against using high volume or high pressure pumps.
rich grsc
01-28-2018, 10:23 AM
As Craig says, look into the issues with a high volume pump. It is not needed unless you have build a track engine with loose bearing clearances.
Another vote for ditch the pump use stock setup. I have for many hard miles.
Jeff Kleiner
01-28-2018, 01:11 PM
As Craig says, look into the issues with a high volume pump. It is not needed unless you have build a track engine with loose bearing clearances.
Yep. And obviously if you are using a stock pan it ain't gonna' be a track engine ;)
Jeff
steno
01-28-2018, 06:36 PM
Yep. And obviously if you are using a stock pan it ain't gonna' be a track engine ;)
Jeff
What HE said!!
Shady302
01-29-2018, 07:46 PM
Okay, so I changed over to a standard pump and the pan fits on top no problem now.
But the pick up still had issues fitting. The pan was hitting in the low spot of the pan on the tube. Very frustrating. I decided to "massage" the pan in that area to make it fit. I made sure it didn't hit without the gasket so when i put the gaskets on, it definitely would clear.
Don't know if it was just a slightly off pick up tube, or if the new "official ford part" oil pan was made a little off. Either way, it all fits now. Thanks guys.
Shady, clearancing of the oil pump P/U requires more than simply allowing enough gap so the P/U doesn't hit the pan. A rule of thumb is 5/16" to 3/8" to provide enough flow to the P/U. If you have too little it can block flow at higher pump speeds. You can either use a lump of clay to determine the clearance or measure off the rails to the P/U and work the math. DO NOT place clay directly on the P/U strainer without masking it off first for obvious reasons. I'm sure if you search YouTube you'll find a video showing how to do this. Check Canton, Moroso, Hamburger, etc. -- all the major oil pan makers and at least one should have some detailed graphics how to measure clearance.
Shady302
01-31-2018, 02:35 PM
Shady, clearancing of the oil pump P/U requires more than simply allowing enough gap so the P/U doesn't hit the pan. A rule of thumb is 5/16" to 3/8" to provide enough flow to the P/U.
Hey Naz, thanks for looking out! I should have been more clear. I did finesse the tube to clear the pan where it hit in the mikes area, but I also made sure it was properly gapped from the bottom of the pick up area too. I am right around 3/8" with the gasket installed.
P.s. I did the clay test on it. Thanks again.
Good news! You should be all set now.