So I've been humming along with my new engine for 400 or so miles after reassembling the pickup and pan, keeping it under 60... in past day or so I hear an all too familiar noise... the pickup is hitting the crank again.

Not sure how it loosend itself enough to move and hit the crank. I positioned it so it was about 1/4" from the crank at closest point, and any further in the other direction pan wouldn't fit right, which matches what fsm states, an interference fit with the pan.

Is one supposed to put loctite or equivalent on the threads? I didn't during assembly because the fit was very tight....

Also, at the last 1/2" or so of the threads there is a bend, and thats where it tightend. I believe this bend is normal because both the original engine in the car, and the replacment engine (which came from junkyard years ago) had the same bend in the threads. Is this normal, or is the section of pickup with the threads on it supposed to be straight?

The threads should be straight. I would guess that someone bent the pickup in a not too careful manner to get pan clearance and bent the pickup where it attaches to the block.

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Joshua

Oy... it never ends. I decided to try and drop pan with engine in car. After quite a hassle, finally got it off. Spun the engine with wrench on dampner bolt... and, drumroll please.....

Turns out its not the crank hitting the pickup, I don't know what it is. Got dark, couldn't investgate more.

Not sure where to start now... what would make a similar sound to crank hitting pickup? Not the torque converter bolts, those were snug. Took off valve cover, same thing.

If it was a rod or something in the wrist pin, would you be able to tell by trying to shake the rod by hand?

Crank hitting dipstick? (remove stick to check w/engine running)

Fuel pump making noise? (remove pump to check w/engine running)

Crank hitting windage tray, if any?

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

Pulled dipstick and tube out, same. Not standard fuel pump - efi, high pressure pump straped to frame rail near rear axle. No windage tray.

All good thoughts though, thanks for your input.