Mystery engine part

[TxAgs66]

OK guys... I am going to look like an idiot with this post...

Pulled the engine apart and now I have the block with pistons and crank. I pulled the cam and lifters and placed them into oil pan and set it under the engine stand. I went to go look at my masterpiece last night and discovered a hexagonal rod had fallen out of the block and into the oil pan.

An I right in thinking this is from the oil pump? I can't think of anything else.

Oh yea, tons of crap in the oil pick up screen. Lots of black brittle stuff that looks like old gasket material.

Jason

 

[jet471]

Yeah,

I'd say the oil pump drive rod, the top side is driven by the distributor, there should be a keeper that holds it on the oil pump.

 

[ludwig]

Yes, that is the drive rod for the oil pump. It should have a little, circular clamping ring to hold it in place so it doesn't drop down into the oil pan. If it does, the distributor shaft will not turn it and your oil pressure goes to zero.

 

[1bad6t]

I pulled the cam and lifters and placed them into oil pan and set it under the engine stand.

Did you keep the lifters in order so you know which hole they came out of? They need to be put back in the same location.

 

[powerband]

Yeah,

I'd say the oil pump drive rod, the top side is driven by the distributor, there should be a keeper that holds it on the oil pump.

Hexagonal shaft sits in distributor with no retainer, without drive you get no oil pressure. Whimsical Ford design. When installing distributor the drive can be easily pulled up and wind up in oil pan. Luckily can usually be fished out through fuel pump access... :roll:

... " 'got distributor in and the engine started , ran good but didn't figure on guages with oil idiot light . Drove down road and started loud rapping and overheating ... "

Hava Fun