oil pan and pick up tube

[fst340rt]

Working on my 72 340 . Car has a stock oil pan (#294) and a stock replacement oil pump (Melling M-72).

According to my shop manual and I quote 'the bottom of the strainer must touch bottom of oil pan with a 1/16 to 1/8 inch interference desirable ' So I used a piece of clay on the bottom of the pick up tube a what I get is a 1/4 inch GAP between pick up and oil pan. I thought of bending the pick up tube but according to the Mopar Perfomance book is not recommended because it can easily crack.
So at this point I am thinking of buying the MP pick up tube (P4529563) and see what happens .

I'll appreciate your comments.

 

[rumblefish360]

Are you sure it didn't say "1/16 - 1/8 Clearance" and not interfearance?

 

[fst340rt]

Are you sure it didn't say "1/16 - 1/8 Clearance" and not interfearance?

Rumble , the reason I decided to quote from the book is because I realize that it is a bit weird that they use the word 'Interferance' as desirable. The book is the 1972 Dodge Service Manual . The 1973 Dodge Service manual uses the same word 'Interference' .The 1981 also uses the same words and
measurements .Assuming that it was a mistake I have a hard time believing that they will keep on making the same mistake over and over again.

Interestingly enough ,the 1971 shop manual only mentions that 'bottom of strainer must touch the bottom of oil pan' and they make no mention of any kind of interference.

It seems to me that the interference issue started in 1972

 

[340sFastback]

Melling makes a stock type replacement:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEL-72-S2/

 

[rumblefish360]

WOW! I gotta go pick up a book now, that's a weird one. I can see touch, but touching hard!?

 

[fst340rt]

Melling makes a stock type replacement:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEL-72-S2/

Thanks ! , That's most definitely the right one to order.

 

[dodge freak]

1/4 inch is great, if the pickup is too close to the bottom of the pan it will not pick up the oil as good. A 1/4 allows the oil to flow under the pickup for a more even flow.