A little background: I bought this 292 six as a core, was already all apart. So I'm running into to some of those little "gotchas" when you didn't take it apart yourself, see how it is supposed to go together, and store all the parts in well marked zip-lock bags.
I put the oil pump on, and then went to install the pickup tube. The sheet metal support bracket is like an inch above the #5 main cap bolt where it is supposed to mount on. This cap has a short 5/16-18 "stud" on the top of it. I found this picture on the interweb. It appears that there is either a spacer used here, or the cap bolt has a much longer extension on it. (red arrow)
So my question is, is there something like a double threaded standoff (like a couple nut) that goes here, or some other type of main bearing cap bolt? Or maybe an extended cap bolt like in the second picture? I can't really tell one way or another in the first picture. I think I will try to measure the gap as best I can, then cut a hex threaded standoff to use for a spacer. Will need to check the gap between the pickup and the bottom of the pan!
Is it possible the pickup tube has simply gotten bent? Try measuring the distance from the oil pan rail to the bottom of the pickup tube, and compare it to the depth of the oil pan in the same area. Then do whatever it takes to get just enough clearance between the pan bottom and the pickup tube to suck up the oil without creating any restriction. Sometimes the simplest solution is also the best one. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Well I suppose anything is possible. Just from observation, the pickup tube that I have locks exactly like this new Melling one in the picture below. Same bends and bracket location. What is got me scratching my head is that first picture I posed, I can see there is some sort of "spacer" or standoff that is in between the cap bolt and the tube bracket. When I install the tube in the pump, there is a gap that looks about the same distance. I'll do a mock up tomorrow and take a pic.
I measured the oil pan depth from the gasket flange to bottom of lower sump: 8-3/8"
I pressed the pickup tube into the pump, and squared the inlet/screen to the block. This is where it appears to want to naturally sit. I measured and found 1.35" from it's mount bracket to the #5 bearing cap bolt. I made a temporary spacer, and measured the bottom of the screen to the block: 8.0". This should give the recommended 3/8" gap from screen to bottom of the pan. So now it's off tot he hardware store to get a 3/8-16 coupling nut to make a permanent spacer from.
I also took a look at the GM parts manual for 46-72 trucks, and see the the oil pan and pickup tube has a different part number for the 292 than the 230/250. I thought I read somewhere that the 292 has a larger/deeper sump than the other Gen 3 sixes. Perhaps this explains the need for a standoff on the mounting bracket?
Check out that right side #5 main cap bolt. I don't know how or why, but it appears that I have a 194/230/250 main bearing cap bolt. Time to make a spacer!
-JW
Last edited by klhansen; 02/01/20238:26 PM. Reason: Removed embedded video.
