Well shoot. I'm in the other Washington waiting for a connecting flight, otherwise I'd be over to lend a hand. I could've used the warm up before swapping motors in my truck upon my return home.

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Ah, to be working on a truck. The acres of extra space around the motor as compared to an A body. My hands look like I have been scratching them against a cheese grater from trying to snake my big fat paws around the engine in this little Dart.

No worries. It shouldn't take too long to get the swap done. Unbolt the linkage mount on the trans, drain radiator, disconnect radiator hoses, loosen both motor mount bolts, attach the engine to the cherry picker and lift about five inches. Fingers crossed that will be enough room.

For giggles I am going to check the clearances on the only other factory slant six oil pump I have. It is a mid-60s unit I got from Midi a number of years ago.

I am pleased to report that I completed the oil pump swap and all is now well. The car is being picked up this morning.

I was able to get enough room to install the Melling oil pump without disassembling it by draining the radiator, removing the upper radiator hose, loosening motor mount through bolts (spool mount K-frome has been installed on this 68 Dart), and lifting the engine from above with a cherry picker. It was a tight fit, but I got it done.

The car now has about 50 PSI idling hot at 600 RPM. WHEW!

That 50PSI sure does look nice when you fire it up after something like this.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

I hate to say it, but 50 PSI at idle sounds alarmingly high to me. Like, potential-danger-to-oil-pump-drive-pinion-and-cam-worm high.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Well, I should say that when I measured the pressure the engine hadn't been driven and had only been idling for a few minutes. I guess that technically means 50 PSI cold/lukewarm. And this is on a freshly rebuilt motor, too, so all the clearances are tight. And I am using a cheap "Suntune" brand electric oil pressure gauge, so I am not 100% sure it is reading accurate.

I am not thrilled about having to use the Melling pump, but it is in place, not leaking, and making good oil pressure. I was hired to replace the motor and that is what I have done. Plus a few extra fixes I had to do along the way. I am sure the pressure will go down to more regular levels as the engine wears in a little more.

So, thanks again to every who posted advice and encouragement. This site is a wonderful resource. Thanks to Doctor Dodge for the great article on how to install oil pan gaskets. The oil pan on this motor doesn't leak at all.

Well…it didn't until you had to go and open up your mouth to say that!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Shh! It might hear you.

Good Reed! Maybe changing 10W-30 with 5w-30 might help.

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/6 Dodge Charger 69
...there's nothing like using the "Search" link above to solve most of your problems...

The 15W-50 "break in oil" was changed out after the initial 20 minute run-in. It now has 5W-30, but probably could be fine with 0W-20.

In any event, the lady has picked her car up and it is now out of my hair. Yay! On to fixing the brakes on my sister's 03 Buick Rendezvous and the brakes and AC and other small annoyances on my 89 Ford van. When those are done, I get to find out why the front suspension on my 99 Town Car pops and bangs when I make a hard left.