Oil pump gaskets, hmmm.

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by derek244, Jun 8, 2022.

  1. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    So I am in the middle of replacing the timing cover gaskets on my '70 350 tonight, and as I am cleaning away on the parts I notice that there are 2 pump gaskets, whereas I thought there was just 1. Neither of the Felpro kits I bought (bought 2 just in case I needed a spare, and they are super cheap) have 2 oil pump gaskets, what's up with that? I assume both gaskets on the plate between the two pump body parts and the cover are identical?
     
  2. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1704

    The pump housing is the same, so these gaskets/shims from TA Performance will give you several more options than the 2 Felpro you have. (some of the aftermarket stuff is "wrong" with proper specs, and it is getting harder to say what is good and what is bad, just by "brand name" or "source".

    The shop manual (and I am sure there are other sources of information with the specs) to set proper clearances.

    If you need anything specific (and do not have the shop manual) someone will have the 1970 350 specs for you.
     
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  3. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Yes, the two paper gaskets were probably to set gear end clearance
    Use the shims from TA Trunkmonkey linked
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  5. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    You mentioned a plate...if there's a booster plate installed, or a high pressure pump (longer gears w/spacer plate) installed, yes there's a gasket on either side of it. Both setups look the same on the outside:

    Booster or Hi Vol Plate.jpg

    Gaskets will depend on whether it's a booster plate like this:

    booster-plate-oil-pump-s230294.jpg

    or a High Vol oil pump kit like this:

    TA 1505.jpg

    Devon
     
  6. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    Well dang. Apparently the guy who rebuilt the engine almost 15 years ago installed a booster plate. I never know it was there. *Correction, I appear to have a high volume oil pump, not a booster plate. But appears to have been installed with the incorrect gaskets when I look at the gaskets above.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2022
    DaWildcat likes this.
  7. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    Thank you. I Honestly do not know what I have at this point, but those pictures will help me decipher for sure.
     
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  8. Jim Blackwood

    Jim Blackwood Well-Known Member

    The tighter you set your end clearance, the better your oil pressure will be. And the cavity grows more with heat than the gears do which causes pressure to drop during warmup and heat soak. I generally go with about .0005" or the least that will allow the gears to not drag when assembled.

    Jim
     
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  9. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    So, 350 guys...which oil pump gasket is correct? This one? (which I have)
    Screenshot_20220627-021525_Chrome.jpg
    Or this one, that I found while searching the web? This one looks more like my pump, and does not have the long/wide rectangular hole blocked off.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    It's been a while since I had the pump apart (20 years),but I am sure my gasket looked like the second smaller picture with the hole.
     
  11. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    I ordered 2 separate gasket kits, and a separate Felpro pump gasket kit and that all look like the first picture and they block off the larger rectangular hole. All for a 1970 Buick 350. I have the TA booster plate ect, but I do not understand why the hole is blocked or why they "fit" but stick out past the pump body in a couple of areas. I am fairly sure the old gaskets did this, but they were destroyed/fell a part when I removed them. It just seems odd to me that such a large passage is blocking an oil passage.
     
  12. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    IIRC, either gasket will work.
    The top picture I think replaces the smaller pictured gasket.
    I'll go snap some pics of gaskets I have.
    The bottom left gasket is actually one of TA’s Mylar shims, but I have used them AS a gasket and shim when setting up oil pumps, they don’t leak, I called and asked TA about this awhile back and they said it’s fine.
    47071A67-81D8-4C12-A108-065D374542E5.jpeg
     
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  13. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Mark. I have those upper right gaskets and they just look so odd the way they stick out from the body in a couple of places.
     
  14. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    I am not comfortable with the gaskets that cover that passage? How could that be ok?

    Here is a photo of the 1968 service manual for the pump cover it looks to me like it would block a passage:

    IMG_1659.jpg

    Also, on the gasket without the opening, the round hole next to where the opening should be appears smaller? This also seems wrong.

    I think some of these gaskets are just garbage. I had that with a a thermostat outlet I bought from Rock Auto, the gasket fit poorly, restricted flow and I threw it in the trash and made my own.

    The item I have in "stock" is the Napa B45579 which appears correct.
     
  15. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    I have been asking this same question for a while now. Why would the long rectangular passage be blocked? I can well you when I took this pump apart I noticed that to be the case and thought, strange. I figured it was some type of design change. I have seen many pictures of the TA shims, but until last night I did not really look closely at the pictures that are being posted. Between various catalogs, links, and other posts it is apparent that there are two different gaskets being sold, and the one's with the blocked off portions seem to pop up everywhere. My camera on my phone is broken, but I will try to steal someone else's to snap some photos later. Regardless, I am ordering some of those Napa gaskets, they look correct to me too.
     
  16. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    As Mark said above the TA shims work as gaskets also. I would probably call TA and get some of those. It's great to deal with them, because they actually know something and won't sell you the wrong part.
     
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  17. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Trim as needed.....:)
    Most port that cover anyway.
     
  18. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    Do you know what that port actually is or why it is blocked? I am just wondering.
     
  19. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Haven't studied it, but seems TA booster plate blocks it off too.
    3 grams of aluminum saved in production. :D:D:D
     

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