"I'd get a GM or Melling pump and sleep at night with no worries. It's not worth trashing a new motor for a few dollars saved on the inferior part."

78,

That's why I was wondering if it's from China. It's a huge leap of faith to trust a function as critical as pumping oil to anything from China.

I'd be hesitant to force the intermediate shaft downward into the oil pump. It might be easy to force it down into a too-tight hole but how would it be extracted if that became necessary?

If it were mine I'd pull the pan and find out what the problem really is and toss that pump in the dumpster if it's from China. For the price of an oil pan gasket you's have your answer 62.

Ray