I want to remove the oil pump on my '55 so I can replace the oil pump drive with one that has the clip on it. I have a new drive and pump-to-block gasket. My question is about what more has to be removed or loosened to get the the pump off and back on, or is there room to wiggle it off?  If the pick up tube has to be loosened or moved do I need more gaskets or seals? I don't want to create a bigger problem than I have now. The engine is a fairly new rebuild so all the gaskets should be relatively fresh. thanks for the advice.

just loosen pickup tub at pan remove the nut  for tube at oil pump(should have a new seal for the oil pump end os tube). oil pump has 3 bolts 1 from top 2 below  should com out. make note of gasket position easy to get it backwards and a oil leak will be the result. you may have to turn the op shaft to align with diet. i would glue the gasket to the pomp ,leaving 1 less thing to fall out of place. easy job just be patent

OK thanks. Just re-tighten the nut on the pick up tube at the pan when reinstalled? No chance of a leak?

There’s a gasket on the oil sump side of the oil pump tube so loosening the nut and retightening it should pose no problem. That is assuming of course that the last person into the engine put that gasket back in place.  The rubber seal at the oil pump inlet should be replaced whenever the oil pump is serviced.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

How tight do You suggest tightening that Nut with the Seal at the Pump?

  

OK, got it done. I was kind of worried about the oil pump picking up oil again after draining it during removal, but the oil light went out quickly on start-up. No leaks so far so I hope all is well. Thanks for the tips.
Gene

There's usually not a problem with that for a quick reinstall.  However, you can fill it to some degree before installation since much of the rotor / gear cavity is below the level of the inlet hole


Lawrenceville, GA

I thought of trying that, but it took so much "faniggling" of the pump to get it off I didn't think much would be left in the pump when I got it on. It worked out fine anyway. Thanks for all the input.