Oil Pump Q?

[Patch]

Pulled the pan off my 360 today...it was the first time the pan was off since new.....looked around....checked a couple rod bearings.....then noticed one of tha plate bolts for the oil pump was missing.....Looked around the motor for any damage.....nothing......decided to look in the bottom of the pan.....and there it was...standing on end stuck in the sludge layer....Not knowing how long this bolt had been out.....is there a posibility that the plate could be warped and oil is leaking out between the plate and housing while the engine is running? I have a new pump...should I just throw it in for insurance? Thanks.......Anybody else ever see this happen before?

 

[1968FormulaS340]

I would replace it being you are in there... check/loctite the bolts is never a bad idea....

 

[fishy68]

I agree, change it. It's a good possibility it's warped and according to the book there isn't much tolerance allowed. I think the clearance is about .008" max. I always loctite them after blueprinting them also. Blue loctite is good enough.

 

[moper]

As a rule, I take every new pump apart. I inspect and clean it all and usually there is some sort of stuff in it. You also find improperly torqed bolts that way.