oil pump..

Has anyone taken apart the oil pump and packed it full of petroleum jelly like the Haynes manual has stated to prime it? This seems like a wierd step..just wondering if anyone has done this? By the way the new timing set is in with the new sensor interupter!!Cant wait to get it back together now....

Yes... We've built a few motors over the years, and we always packed the oil pumps with vaseline. I also did it a couple years ago when I replaced the gears & springs in the oil pump on the 430 in my Wildcat.

There is also engine assembly grease that has the consistency of Vaseline that can be used. Made by most of the oil manufacturers.
I think the last tube that i had was made by Valvaline. Bought it at a speed shop because I couldn't find it at the big box auto parts stores.
Maybe NAPA still carry's it. We also would pack the oil pumps on reassembly, but they were gear type pumps, which the early engines have, not gear-rotor type (later design). Don't know if there is any difference in pre-packing requirements.
If you plan on priming the engine before starting with a priming pump then you don't need to pack the pump.

Rickw wrote:

If you plan on priming the engine before starting with a priming pump then you don't need to pack the pump.

Actually this is what the pump packing is for. All motors should have the oil system primed before initial startup. There can be a lot of metal on metal wear during that initial suction creation that will cause damage if the pump has not been packed. Especially on the older Buick motors, where the oil pump gears were right against the aluminum timing cover.

Not sure how the 3800's oil pump is layed out, if it's steel on steel it's not as critical as the steel on aluminum...

I've built quite a few small block chevs and fords.....i've primed them by spinning the pump drive shaft thru the distributor. I wait until oil comes out at the rockers..Never had a problem with any of them. Mind you none of the drives were on the timing cover either..I'm just starting to learn about the buick v-6's...different but very cool.

pearlwhite91 wrote:

..i've primed them by spinning the pump drive shaft thru the distributor. I wait until oil comes out at the rockers..Never had a problem with any of them.

This is exactly what i was referring to when I said priming the engine.
If it is done this way then packing the pump wasn't necessary.
But on our 3800 there is no distributor, so the only way to pre-prime the engine is with an external pump plumbed into the oil ports at the oil filter with an adapter.
I assumed you didn't have that equipment, so packing the pump with a light petroleum jelly will keep the pump from cavitating until oil pressure is built up while cranking it.

Rickw wrote:

This is exactly what i was referring to when I said priming the engine.
If it is done this way then packing the pump wasn't necessary.
But on our 3800 there is no distributor...

Whoops, that's right! Good point...

Eldo wrote:

Rickw wrote:

This is exactly what i was referring to when I said priming the engine.
If it is done this way then packing the pump wasn't necessary.
But on our 3800 there is no distributor...

Whoops, that's right! Good point...

Oh yeah, forgot about that. I guess you have to pack the pump since you can't prime it.

Checked all over the site and unless I missed it, I haven't been able to find a write-up for an oil pump replacement. Is it pretty straight forward? I seem to recall that there is an adapter that our engines use? Do you need to replace the adapter with the pump?

Not sure if it can be done with engine in the car; maybe it can. I know the front engine cover comes off, so crank pulley (harm balancer) needs to come off. You'll be in where the timing chain is. I could be wrong, but think this to be a pretty involved job.

AA wrote:

I could be wrong, but think this to be a pretty involved job.

You aren't wrong. The entire front cover assembly needs to come off. All the oil pump is, is a gear set and pressure valve that's mounted in the front cover, connected to the Camshaft. It's quite a job to tackle....

If only our cars had "service position" like the Audis!

Ok, thanks for the response guys. Wow, sounds like a decent size job. On my 68 Charger its right on the side of the block, three bolts. I guess when you go in that far for the oil pump you might as well get everything done, chain, crank sensor, cam sensor etc

BMD wrote:

Ok, thanks for the response guys. Wow, sounds like a decent size job. On my 68 Charger its right on the side of the block, three bolts. I guess when you go in that far for the oil pump you might as well get everything done, chain, crank sensor, cam sensor etc

Yep. Worst part about it is that it's mounted on the inside of the Front Cover. You literally have to take it out of the car and put in on a bench. Then you have to remove the plate that holds it all in. Definitely not easy by any means.

When I had my engine out, all accessories off, flywheel, blower and LIM removed, I still didn't get to the oil pump. I thought they lasted forever.