Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

We've just finished a complete refresh on my small block chevy.
Late last summer, we began having a few oil pressure anomalies. When we tore it down, we discovered the Milodon screen/box broke off of the end of the tube.
I froze and then installed the new Milodon pick up tube assm in the M55HV. I got it "seated" completely into the pump, put it back together, and then had to rotate it slightly to get the pan clearance.
Milodon said do not weld the tube to the pump and they also recommended their "extreme duty" pick up 18316.
What is the concensus?
Should the pick up be tack welded to the pump?

Thanks,
Clark Doukas

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

a touch of weld is extra insurance...remove the relief spring first as not to weakin it due to the heat. better yet, mellings sells their performance pump w/adjustable relief tension and a bolt on pickup. various pickup lengths for different depth pans.

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

Just make a sheetmetal tab to weld on the pickup tube that has a 1/4 inch hole
in it to go to one of the bolts that hold on the pumps bottom plate and bolt it there.

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

It has a strap built on, but I think the pickup could still rotate down a little.
Im thinking the previous Milodon pickup rotated down, contacted the pan, and then the vibration/contact broke it off.

This is the "extreme duty" pickup that was recommended:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Milodon/697/18316/10001/-1

I had a 18314 on prior. Identical except for the gussett that they added.

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

That pickup has the strap i was talking about right on it, if your having issues with it
still rotating i would put a little Permatex sleeve retaining compound on before putting
the pickup into the pump, between that and the strap it will not move.

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

Full weld it and forget it if it has bracket bolted to pump.

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

The only difference between the 18314 and the 18316 is a brace welded on the pick-up itself to strengthen where it welds to the pick-up tube. This is extra insurance to keep the pick-up from separating from the tube. The special CNC-bung is specifically designed to be a snug press fit into the oil pump and with the attached brace bolted to the pump cover, and the Permatex locking compound Ron mentioned, welding shouldn't be necessary.

Lew

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

Clark... Over the years I've seen this with that brand of oil pick up. What I would recommend the next time you freshen your engine check out the Moroso pump-pick up package, this combination comes fully tig welded and includes a new pump drive shaft. Most aftermarket oil pans have comparable depths, Moroso has several different configurations that work without doubt.

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

Thank you for your responses.
I tacked it and we should be good2go.
I've looked at the other pumps and pickups. Nice pieces.

Clark

Re: Oil pump pickup - tack weld or don't weld
 

I have been at this for 40 plus years and I can tell you I have had the spot welds brake and the tube come out.
I have had pumps with brackets on them bolted to the pump and I would spot weld them and the bracket would break at various points and the spot weld break also and the tube fall out.
The only true way to make sure the tube never comes out is to weld it fully all the way around the tube. I have used brass and tig to full weld it and can say one is just as good as the other. They both worked for me.
The full round weld is the ONLY way to make sure you never have the tube coming out.
My 2 Cents
Rick Cates