I'm actually going to use both, except small zip ties instead of rubber bands; extra insurance if you will, so that I accidently don't move the gasket while reassembling everything. The studs will enable me to guide and secure the pan in place, while I get the pan bolts started.
I've got another related question... I'm thinking about replacing the oil pump as long as everything is opened up. I got replacement pump, but it didn't come with a oil pick up/strainer. I thought about using the old one off the old pump. Now in reading my FSM, it recommends I buy a new pick up/strainer as well; so that a perfect seal is maintained between the oil pump strainer. Any probelms using the old pick up/strainer? I'd hate to put this off another week to get a new pick up/strainer; so I'm halfway considering using the existiing oil pump since it still works pretty well and I have good oil pressure.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
It's good, cheap insurance to use a new pickup when installing an oil pump, since it usually gets knackered about during removal. I don't know why oil pumps don't include one as a matter of course, unless it's to simplify logistics (one pump can be used for several engine configurations, using several different strainers.)
Easy way to install one?
- Put the pickup tube in the coldest freezer you have (there's a reason our deep-freeze is out in the garage...) Leave it there for at least two hours.
- Thirty minutes before you're set to take the pickup out of the freezer, turn your oven on to about 300*F. While it's getting hot, remove the cover plate and gasket from your new oil pump (since you'll need to anyhow.) You may remove the gear rotors or not - up to you.
- Put the pump in the oven for at least twenty minutes.
- Go find a good pair of gloves that will let you handle something hot.
- Go get the pickup from the freezer.
- Get the pump out of the oven.
- Press the two together. The large temperature difference should make it easier to do.
- Let the pump sit for at least an hour before you do anything else with it, so it gets back to room temperature.
Before you put the cover plate back on, pack the rotor cavities with grease to "prime" the pump (this will allow it to develop suction when you first run it.) Actually prime the pump by running it through the distributor mounting hole - you can use a flat-blade screwdriver or use a dedicated oil pump priming rod that has a drive tang (1/2" wide) and either no collar or a removable collar. Plug a mechanical oil pressure gage into the hole for the gage sensor, then run the pump (with a drill motor) until it develops pressure -
then not less than two full minutes afterwards. (Naturally, this is after you've bolted the sump on and filled it with oil again.) Once you have consistent pressure, you can reinstall the distributor and finish the job.
If you don't prang the old pickup too badly removing it, and you get it nice and clean, you can reuse it - it just needs to pass inspection (no cracks or pinholes, no leftover crud, sealing surface still perfect, &c. If the pickup tube is imperfect, it can end up picking up air - which means the oil pump loses prime and you have problems.)