can anybody tell me how far the bottom of the oil pump pick-up should be from the bottom of the oil pan on my 79 L82?  I have a stock pump and an after market pan and the space between the two is 7/8".  thanks.

Hank, just took the pan off my 78SA.  Letting it drip til tomorrow before I put it back on. Will go out and measure how far the pickup is from the pan flange for ya.  Mike

Well, I can tell ya 7/8" is too much! 1/4" to 3/8" should be about right. Let's see what Mike has...

OK, held a straight edge across the lowest point of the pickup at the very front edge, 7 3/8" to the pan flange. The factory oil pan is 7 9/16" deep measured inside. Soooo... like Joel said, 7/8" is a bit much. This is the first this has been opened up in 29 years so it should be correct, never been moved. Little angled.

mkapp78792007-04-24 18:41:37

  You might Use some Duct Seal wich is avalable at Home Depot in the Electrical Dept.  Put some on the Bottom of the Pickup and then Push the Pan on to compress it, remove the Pan and You will get a Very Accurate Measure without having to do any calculations. 1/4 to 3/8's is Normal. Richard...

Can I use the kids Play Dough?

Modeling clay will work to check the finished installed setting.  Use a small piece of 3/8 plywood in the bottom of the pan, push it up and then use the clay to check your work.

  If You like the Pan You can get the Corect Pick up to go with it. They are made in many Sizes. Just ask the Maker of the Pan for the Pick up to go with it they sould be able to provide it. If not then Summit or any one of the Speed Shops should have what You need on the Shelf.

the pick-up is welded to the pump.  I'll just get a new pan.