Hey gang, reporting in after a few months off to "recover". Just a recap: I put together a long-rod stroker over the winter. After several trials and tribulations, I finally got the new engine started, got the cam broken in, and got the valves and timing adjusted, only to have the oil pressure drop completely to zero after a trip down the street. Per suggestions on this board, I removed the oil pump check valve, to no avail. Needless to say, after so many hours and dollars, I was a bit demoralized. Plus, no one around here had much encouragement or many suggestions other than replacing the bearings (which just ain't gonna happen. This engine comes out, it's getting parted out.).

Well, I finally got around to pulling the oil pump last weekend (what a PAIN! I'd almost rather take it out of the bottom of the oil pan!). Sure enough, the pump sprocket turns independently of the shaft. I could even pop the sprocket off by hand.

This is a Melling standard volume unit. Fluke or no, I'll never go with another Melling unit. I've purchased a Sealer Power replacement, although the weather's turned humid and nasty now, so it may be a week or two before I can summon the interest to install it. Just a warning regarding Melling oil pumps.

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vm

I know how you are feeling, I have been there with a 'long rod' engine much like yours. After blowing up the one I have, for the second time, I built a differnt engine and let the trashed 'lump - o - money" sit in a corner of my garage for over a year.

I did get back to that engine, put better pistons into it, dropped the compression a bit and now it is running pretty good in my race car.

As for the Melling pump, yes.... I have had a number of these pumps where the drive gear just fell-off the shaft. You need to inspect the gear closely, sometimes the problem is a hairline crack thru the gear.
These days I measure / set the interferance fit on the gear I.D. and shaft and on a few, a small spot weld was in order.
DD

Thanks, Doc. Were the pumps you've had this issue with all Melling pumps, or were they other brands as well?

Any tips on squeezing the new pump into place?

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vm

Hmmm, I have also had this happen with a melling pump...
I figured it was a "one of" bad pump, but it seems to be more usual than I thought
Just to make it more fun, the gear fell into the pan

Ouch. I might've given up completely. The fun of doing my own work on my cars is starting to wane. Guess I'm getting old...

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vm

Any of you guys, with pump problems, contact the manufacturer? You might want to send them a FYI, but don't be nasty. Spmetimes a manufacturer is unaware of a problem, if no one complains. If I remember correctly, it was posted, that Melling removed the key/keyway from the pump gear/shaft, to save money. Time to let them know it was a false economy.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Yes, Melling did remove the key and key slot a few years back, now the engineered "press fit" has to be correct or the drive gear spins on the shaft or splits when installed.

Here is Mellings contact info:
http://data.melling.com/contactus.php
DD

Another excuse to purchase an Arbor Press and some new cutting tools for the mill.

More tools!

CJ

So, guess what? My new "Sealed Power" oil pump arrived today, in a box labeled "Sealed Power". But, lo and behold, the bag it's wrapped in has "Melling" written all over it. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Maybe I'll try and find someone who can put a spot weld on the gear, as Doc suggested.

And YES, Melling will be getting a note from me. Thanks for the contact info, Doc.

<grumble, grumble, grumble...>

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vm

I'll have to say that these stories are making me very glad I bought a pump from Doc.

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67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir

Yeah, Bren67Cuda904, if I put into my engine build what you put into yours, I'd hire NASA to build me a pump. And I'd probably STILL be afraid to fire it. But hey, best of luck.

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vm